Theories of Emotion

Question 1

James-Lange Theory

Answer 1

(1880s) …is the label we give after-the-fact to autonomic arousal and associated behavior
- i.e. Our subjective “feelings” are an interpretation we make of our body’s reaction to stimuli

Question 2

Cannon-Bard Theory

Answer 2

(1930s) Once threat perceived, visceral & subjective experience of emotion is simultaneous
- Via perceptual input via Thalamus to brain & activation of the ANS (for somatic responses)
- Updated to include Papez Circuit

Question 3

Papez Circuit

Answer 3

= Limbic System, responsible for expression & experience of emotion

Question 4

Schacter-Singer Theory

Answer 4

(1980s) …is the interaction between cognitive appraisal and autonomic/limbic activity
- Physiology determines how strong emotion is, but ID’ing emotion depends on a cognitive appraisal of situ
- Feedback between variety of brain regions involved (e.g. Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala, Hypothalamus, etc!)

Question 5

Behavioral and neurological data support

Answer 5

aspects of all of three

Question 6

COMPLEX! Emotion plays role in all evaluative (discrimination, motivation, learning) & communicative processes

Answer 6

May depend in part on learned associations, but basic emotional expressions mimicked by newborn humans

Question 7

from its inception, emotional expression…

Answer 7

…is shaped by social interaction

Question 8

Facial expressions of basic emotions

Answer 8

are similar across cultures, although “display rules” vary

Question 9

• e.g. Subjects given arousing drug (e.g. amphetamine) - or placebo - and shown scary, funny, or sad images

Answer 9

Aroused subjects all reported stronger emotion, but type reported varied with stimuli

Question 10

• e.g. Direct subjects to make specific changes in facial muscles (e.g. Raise brows, pull them together, raise
  upper eyelids, tighten lower eyelids, stretch lips horizontally) w/o mentioning an emotion

Answer 10

• When asked, subjects reported “feeling” appropriate emotion (e.g. Above expression => fear)
• Expressions also produced changes in heart-rate, skin temp, etc. (e.g. Fear: heart up, temp down)

Question 11

e.g. Subjects hold pen-in-teeth vs. pen-in-lips while judging comics;

Answer 11

Rate them funnier if teeth exposed

Question 12

Many brain areas are implicated in the generation and control of emotional behavior…

Answer 12

• Including array of structures of Limbic System, and the Thalamus, the Hypothalamus, and the Frontal Cortex