Understanding Theories of Emotion

emotion

a feeling that involves our thoughts, body reactions, and actions, and is influenced by what happens around and inside us

elicitors

stimuli or events that trigger an emotional response in an individual

arousal comes before emotion

suggests that emotions follow bodily arousal; we feel sad because we cry and afraid because we tremble

facial feedback hypothesis

suggests that facial expressions can influence emotions

arousal and emotion occur simultaneously

arousal and emotion occur simultaneously and independently; an emotion triggering stimulus causes both bodily arousal and emotional experience at the same time

arousal + cognitive label = emotion

our interpretation of arousal determines the specific emotion we experience

broaden and build theory of emotion

positive emotions help us think more openly and try new things, making us stronger. negative emotions do the opposite

universal emotions

idea that certain emotional expressions are recognized and experienced similarly across different cultures

display rules

cultural norms that dictate how, when, and where individuals should express emotion