University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Theories of emotions attempt to explain the origin and functions of affective states.
- Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory
- Evolutionary Theories
- Appraisal Theories
  * Cognitive-mediational theory
- Psychological Constructionism 
- Physiological Theories
  * James-Lange theory
  * Cannon-Bard theory

Theories of Emotion

Psychological constructionist theories investigate the wide variation of experiences people have for specific emotions. For instance, why do some people report different behaviors when they are happy? 

Psychological Constructionism

Evolutionary theories suggest discrete modules of emotion developed over time. These emotions have characteristics of good/bad and weak/strong which help perform functions that help facilitate or weaken our chances of survival.

Evolutionary Theories of Emotions

Physiological theories suggest that physical responses within the body are responsible for emotions.

Physiological Theories of Emotion

Appraisal theories of emotion propose that cognitive processes, specifically our thoughts or appraisals about a situation, are the primary determinants of our emotional experience. According to this perspective, an emotion is not a direct reaction to an event, but rather a response to our interpretation of that event. The specific emotion we feel is contingent on our appraisal; a positive evaluation of a situation will lead to positive emotions, while a negative evaluation will result in negative emotions. This framework explains individual differences in emotional responses to the same stimulus.

Appraisal Theories of Emotion

Which theory of emotion suggests that emotions are a result of the simultaneous experience of physiological arousal and emotional experience?

Which theory of emotion suggests that emotions are the result of the cognitive appraisal of a situation before experiencing the emotion?

Which theory of emotion suggests that emotions are the result of physiological arousal that is interpreted based on environmental context?

The Schachter-Singer two-factor theory posits that emotions arise from two components: physiological arousal and a cognitive label. A key premise is that physiological arousal is often undifferentiated across various emotional states. Therefore, an individual first experiences a general state of physiological arousal and then interprets this arousal within its specific context to apply a cognitive label. This appraisal process determines the specific emotion experienced. For instance, the same physiological response could be labeled as 'fear' or 'joy' depending on the situation, and it is even possible to misattribute arousal to an incorrect emotional experience if the circumstances are misleading.

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