1.1 theories

Question 1

what are emotions

Answer 1

complex psychological state involving subjective experience, physiological response and expressive/behavioural response

Question 2

James-lange theory of emotion

Answer 2

emotions arise as a result of physiological arousal. we experience emotions ONLY AFTER physiological arousal

Question 3

criticism of the james-lange theory

Answer 3

doubt that there is sufficient variation in physiological arousal to lead to the wide variety of emotions

Question 4

cannon-bard theory of emotion

Answer 4

physiological arousal and emotional experience occurs simultaneously, yet independently. emotional expression is caused from activation of the subcortical centres of the brain

Question 5

Schachter-singer theory of emotion

2-factor theory

Answer 5

emotions are due to the interaction of physiological arousal and cognition

arousal is cognitively interpreted based on environmental context and culminates in emotional experience

Question 6

appraisal theory of emotion

Answer 6

emotions are extracted from appraisals of the situation which leads to different reactions in different people depending on whats appropriate

Question 7

what is an appraisal

Answer 7

evaluations, interpretations and explanations of events

Question 8

who advanced appraisal theory and what did they propose

Answer 8

Magda Arnold - initial appraisal begins the emotional sequence by arousing the physiological reaction and the emotion itself

Question 9

Cognitive-mediational theory (name, date, explanation)

Answer 9

Lazarus, 1991, emotions are determined by appraisal of the stimulus but immediate, unconscious appraisals mediate between the stimulus and emotional response.
stimulus > appraisal > fear > appraisal > reaction

Question 10

primary vs secondary appraisal

Answer 10

primary = establish the meaning/significance of an event
secondary = assess the ability of coping with the event --> important for counselling

Question 11

model of stress and coping

Answer 11

Lazarus. 
stressor > appraisal 
(if dangerous) > secondary appraisal 
(if insufficient resources) > stress 
> coping - overcome stress (problem focussed or emotion focussed)
> reappraisal

Question 12

why is appraisal theory good

Answer 12

answers why different people have different perceptions of and emotional reactions to the same event