Emotion Paper
Emotion
Suzanne Gilbert, Della Lonkar, Karmyla Lopez, Joy Schatz
Psych 355
April 18, 2011
Stefanie Krasner
Theories of Emotion
Researchers have debated about the phenomenon with emotions. Debates on this topic have and will continue to for many more years. Researchers have attempted to understand why one has emotions and came up with the five different theories. The first theory is the James-Lange theory, which argues that an event can cause physiological arousal first and, it can be interpret this as an arousal. Second theory is the Cannon-Bard theory that argues that all humans experience a physiological arousal and an emotional one at the same time. It still does not give any attention to the role of the thoughts or an outward behavior. Third theory is Schechter-Singer theory, which any kind of an event can cause physiological arousal first. One can find the reason for arousal labeling the experience and the emotion. Lazarus theory is the fourth in line and that a person must think about the situation before his or her experience is an emotion. The final theory is Facial Feedback theory, which is how an emotion changes the facial muscles to show pleasure and happiness. These theories have arisen from different perspectives from emotions and their causes. Theories cause many debates and will continue these debates throughout the years to come.
Historical Theories and Historical Theories of Arousal
The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion comes from Walter Cannon, an American neurologist and physiologist, and Philip Bard, an American psychologist. It states that when an alarming event takes place one is aroused, a physiological change occurs, and an emotion follows. An example is a man camping in the woods. He sees a bear and begins to tremble, shake, and becomes afraid. The thalamus receives a signal and communicates to the amygdala, which relates to emotion. One’s body signals the automatic nervous system to become afraid. According to (2011), “Walter
Suzanne Gilbert, Della Lonkar, Karmyla Lopez, Joy Schatz
Psych 355
April 18, 2011
Stefanie Krasner
Theories of Emotion
Researchers have debated about the phenomenon with emotions. Debates on this topic have and will continue to for many more years. Researchers have attempted to understand why one has emotions and came up with the five different theories. The first theory is the James-Lange theory, which argues that an event can cause physiological arousal first and, it can be interpret this as an arousal. Second theory is the Cannon-Bard theory that argues that all humans experience a physiological arousal and an emotional one at the same time. It still does not give any attention to the role of the thoughts or an outward behavior. Third theory is Schechter-Singer theory, which any kind of an event can cause physiological arousal first. One can find the reason for arousal labeling the experience and the emotion. Lazarus theory is the fourth in line and that a person must think about the situation before his or her experience is an emotion. The final theory is Facial Feedback theory, which is how an emotion changes the facial muscles to show pleasure and happiness. These theories have arisen from different perspectives from emotions and their causes. Theories cause many debates and will continue these debates throughout the years to come.
Historical Theories and Historical Theories of Arousal
The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion comes from Walter Cannon, an American neurologist and physiologist, and Philip Bard, an American psychologist. It states that when an alarming event takes place one is aroused, a physiological change occurs, and an emotion follows. An example is a man camping in the woods. He sees a bear and begins to tremble, shake, and becomes afraid. The thalamus receives a signal and communicates to the amygdala, which relates to emotion. One’s body signals the automatic nervous system to become afraid. According to (2011), “Walter
References: Buck, R. (1980, May). Nonverbal behavior and the theory of emotion: The facial feedback hypothesis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 38(5) , 811-824. The Cannon-Bard Theory. (2011). Retrieved April 18, 2011, from Encyclopedia Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/394212/motivation/12692/The-Cannon-Bard-theory?anchor=ref362860 Changing Minds (2010) Decker, L. (2010). Motivation: Biological, Psychological, and Environment, (3rd Ed.) Retrieved April 16, 2011 from eBook Collection Chapter 13 Drive Reduction Theory. (2011). Retrieved April 18, 2011, from Encyclopedia Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/171709/drive-reduction-theory Emotion Laired, J. (1974). Self-attribution of emotion: The effects of expressive behavior on the quality of emotional experience. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 29(4) , 475-486. Womack, D. (2004, October 4). Facial Feedback Hypothesis. Retrieved April 18, 2011, from AIGA: http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/facial-feedback-hypothesis