*Theories and Mechanisms of Emotion

Theories of Emotion

James-Lange Somatic Theory

  • Core Idea: Physiological symptoms and reactions directly determine the emotions experienced. An event triggers a specific bodily response, which the brain interprets as emotion. You are afraid because you run; running doesn't happen because you are afraid.

  • Memory Hack** James Lang= Jump then Label→body acts first, feeling follows

Cannon-Bard Theory

  • Core Idea: Cognition is vital for emotion, with a different pathway from James-Lange. A stimulus activates the thalamus, which simultaneously sends signals to the cortex (for conscious emotion) and the autonomic nervous system (for physiological arousal).

  • Distinction: Emotion and physiological arousal occur at the same time and independently, not sequentially like James-Lange suggests.

  • Memory Hack** Cannon Bard= BOOM BOOM → body and feeling fire together

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

  • Definition: Facial expressions can influence or cause emotional experience; facial muscles inform the brain about feelings. Actively creating an expression can lead to feeling that emotion (e.g., smiling can make you feel happier).

  • Research Evidence: The Strack, Martin, & Stepper (1988) study showed that participants holding a pen to force a smile rated cartoons as funnier than those inhibiting a smile, indicating that induced facial expressions influenced emotional experience.

Schachter's Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

  • Fundamental Questions: How do we determine emotional intensity and identity?

  • Emotional Intensity: The level of physiological arousal dictates intensity (Arousal == Intensity).

  • Emotional Identity: Cognitive appraisal of the situation identifies which emotion is experienced (Appraisal == Identity).

  • Combined Mechanism: General physiological arousal is interpreted based on environmental cues and personal knowledge to assign a specific emotional label. For example, a racing heart can be labeled as fear in a threatening alley or excitement on a roller coaster, depending on the cognitive appraisal.

  • Memory Hack= Schacter→ Second Step iS Scan Situation (body aroused, brain labels THEN emotion)

Instinct: an inherited, species-wide, pattern of behaviour triggered by a specific stimuli

Motive: internal state that directs behaviour (not inherited)

Drive: aroused state caused by physiological need

Incentive: external stimuli that pulls behaviour (reward)

“James ran, then felt afraid, Cannons heart and fear both made, Schacter’s heart raced, he looked around→ named the feeling that he found.”