REVIEW Theories and Physiology of Emotion

Learning Objectives

Test Yourself by taking a moment to answer each of these Learning Objective Questions (repeated here from within the module). Research suggests that trying to answer these questions on your own will improve your long-term memory of the concepts (McDaniel et al., 2009).

Question

31-1 How do arousal, expressive behavior, and cognition interact in emotion?

ANSWER: Emotions are psychological responses of the whole organism involving an interplay among physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience. Theories of emotion generally address two major questions: (1) Does physiological arousal come before or after emotional feelings, and (2) how do feeling and cognition interact? The James-Lange theory maintains that emotional feelings follow our body's response to emotion-inducing stimuli. The Cannon-Bard theory proposes that our physiological response to an emotion-inducing stimulus occurs at the same time as our subjective feeling of the emotion (one does not cause the other).

Question

31-2 To experience emotions, must we consciously interpret and label them?

ANSWER: The Schachter-Singer two-factor theory holds that our emotions have two ingredients, physical arousal and a cognitive label, and the cognitive labels we put on our states of arousal are an essential ingredient of emotion. Lazarus agreed that many important emotions arise from our interpretations or inferences. Zajonc and LeDoux, however, have contended that some simple emotional responses occur instantly, not only outside our conscious awareness, but before any cognitive processing occurs. This interplay between emotion and cognition illustrates our dual-track mind.

Question

31-3 What are some of the basic emotions?

ANSWER: Carroll Izard's 10 basic emotions are joy, interest-excitement, surprise, sadness, anger, disgust, contempt, fear, shame, and guilt.

Question

31-4 What is the link between emotional arousal and the autonomic nervous system?

ANSWER: The arousal component of emotion is regulated by the autonomic nervous system's sympathetic (arousing) and parasympathetic (calming) divisions. In a crisis, the fight-or-flight response automatically mobilizes your body for action.

Question

31-5 Do different emotions activate different physiological and brain-pattern responses?

ANSWER: Emotions may be similarly arousing, but some subtle physiological responses, such as facial muscle movements, distinguish them. More meaningful differences have been found in activity in some brain pathways and cortical areas.

Question

31-6 How effective are polygraphs in using body states to detect lies?

ANSWER: Polygraphs, which measure several physiological indicators of emotion, are not accurate enough to justify widespread use in business and law enforcement. The use of guilty knowledge questions and new forms of technology may produce better indications of lying.

Terms and Concepts to Remember

Test yourself on these terms.

Question

emotion (p. 387)
James-Lange theory (p. 387)
Cannon-Bard theory (p. 388)
two-factor theory (p. 388)
polygraph (p. 394)
the theory that our experience of emotion is our awareness of our physiological responses to an emotion-arousing stimulus.
the theory that an emotion-arousing stimulus simultaneously triggers (1) physiological responses and (2) the subjective experience of emotion.
a machine, commonly used in attempts to detect lies, that measures several of the physiological responses (such as perspiration and cardiovascular and breathing changes) accompanying emotion.
the Schachter-Singer theory that to experience emotion one must (1) be physically aroused and (2) cognitively label the arousal.
a response of the whole organism, involving (1) physiological arousal, (2) expressive behaviors, and (3) conscious experience.

Experience the Testing Effect

Test yourself repeatedly throughout your studies. This will not only help you figure out what you know and don’t know; the testing itself will help you learn and remember the information more effectively thanks to the testing effect.

Question 10.16

1. The theory of emotion maintains that a physiological response happens BEFORE we know what we are feeling.

Question 10.17

2. Assume that after spending an hour on a treadmill, you receive a letter saying that your scholarship request has been approved. The two-factor theory of emotion would predict that your physical arousal will

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 10.18

3. Zajonc and LeDoux maintain that some emotional reactions occur before we have had the chance to consciously label or interpret them. Lazarus noted the importance of how we appraise events. These psychologists differ in the emphasis they place on ________ in emotional responses.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 10.19

4. What does a polygraph measure and why are its results questionable?

ANSWER: A polygraph measures physiological changes, such as heart rate and perspiration, that are associated with emotions. Its use as a lie detector is controversial because the measure cannot distinguish between emotions with similar physiology (such as anxiety and guilt).

Use image to create your personalized study plan, which will direct you to the resources that will help you most in image .

[Leave] [Close]