The James-Lange theory of emotion Flashcards
what is the James Lange theory
Physiological arousal comes first and emotion after.
Two similar theories were proposed and combined.
what is Physiological arousal
An event causes physiological arousal in the following way:
Hypothalamus arouses the sympathetic division of the ANS.
Adrenaline is released and creates physiological arousal (heart rate increased, etc., i.e. fight or flight response).
what happens in the brain after physiological arousal
Brain interprets the physiological activity.
Causes emotions, e.g. fear, excitement, love.
give me an example of the theory
Meeting a bear in a forest activates the sympathetic division.
Muscles tense, heart pounds.
Physiological changes interpreted as fear.
Person runs away.
explain why No physical changes = no emotion
If no physiological changes occur then emotions are not experienced.
For example, if you stood in front of your class and your heart rate didn’t increase, then you do not feel scared because there were no physiological changes.
give me a strength on the james lange theory
A strength of the theory is real-life examples.
A fear of public situations (phobia) can develop as a result of the anxiety (emotion) created from falling down in public.
This shows that emotional responses such as fear are a result of physiological arousal like increased heart rate.
give me two weaknesses on the james
A weakness is that the theory is challenged by the Cannon–Bard theory.
We experience some emotions (e.g. embarrassment) at the same time as physiological arousal and not one after the other.
Therefore this theory can explain emotional situations that the James–Lange theory cannot.
A weakness is that the theory is challenged by the two-factor theory.
We need arousal plus social cues to correctly label the emotion we are feeling (Schachter and Singer).
Therefore the James–Lange theory does not explain how a person ‘decides’ what emotion they are experiencing.
