Infographic 9.3: Theories of Emotion

The four theories of emotion are: James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, Schachter-Singer, and Cognitive Appraisal. Each theory is illustrated in a vertical diagram, which are placed side by side. Text under the title of the diagram reads as follows: Imagine you are swimming and you think you see a shark. Fear pierces your gut, sending your heart racing as you swim frantically to shore. Or is it actually your churning stomach and racing heart that cause you to feel so terrified? And what part, if any, do your thoughts play in this process? Psychologists have long debated the order in which events lead to emotion. Let’s compare four major theories, each proposing a different sequence of events.” Text above the illustration of the James-Lange theory reads “Body changes lead to emotions”. In this theory, a stimulus produces to a physiological response, which leads to an emotion. Text above the illustration of the Cannon-Bard theory reads “Body changes and emotions happen together”. In this theory, a stimulus produces a physiological response and an emotion. Text above the illustration for the Schachter-Singer theory reads “our thoughts about our body changes lead to emotions.” In this theory, a stimulus produces a physiological response, which leads to cognitive labeling, which leads to an emotion - fear. The cognitive labeling applies to the physiological response and the stimulus. Text above the illustration for cognitive appraisal theory reads “our thoughts about our situation lead to emotions.” In this theory, a stimulus produces cognitive appraisal, which leads to fear. Cognitive appraisal applies to the stimulus.