AS level Psychology The Core studies

Cognitive, Social and Physiological Determinants of Emotional State Stanley Schachter and Jerome E. Singer (1962)

Stanley Schachter 1922 - 1997

Schachter and Singer (1962) The Question... How do we recognise the emotions we feel? Cognitive labelling of emotional states

Some background…. If we see a bull charging towards us Do we run because we are scared or Are we scared because we run?

Some background…. How do we know which emotion we are feeling? Write down FIVE different emotions

The James-Lange theory That emotions are ‘read out of’ the physiological signs heart rate, blood pressure, sweat, breathing. etc but that would mean a different physiological state for each emotion

The Cannon-Bard theory We see the charging bull and then (a) Physiological changes occur (b) We cognitively recognise fear independent processes with no direct link between them but with a common trigger

Schachter and Singer James was wrong - there are not enough physiological states Cannon Bard wrong - ANS arousal and emotional states are linked

Schachter and Singer Testing the theory that a stimulus causes the physiological arousal (the charging bull) and then that ….. We look around for cues to tell us what the emotion is?

Schachter and Singer What they did? The participants The cognitive labelling theory of emotion The participants 184 male students of psychology (American) rewarded by two extra points on their final exam for every hour they took part

Schachter and Singer Procedure Ps were told that the experiment was testing how a vitamin compound called SUPROXIN affects vision That they were to be injected with this VITAMIN but that any who objected could withdraw.. Some did

Schachter and Singer All told they were receiving a SUPROXIN injection Group 1 - given an injection of adrenaline - which causes increased heart rate, blood pressure and flushing Group 2 given a placebo - an injection of saline which causes no effect

Schachter and Singer ADRENALINE group divided into three groups INFORMED - told of the side effects of adrenaline IGNORANT - told nothing MISINFORMED - told they might experience head ache, numbness in their feet

Schachter and Singer Placebo group told nothing So the scene is set for the physiological arousal of some participants

Schachter and Singer How did Schachter and Singer produce the emotional state? In order to create the emotional cues the participants were placed into two further groups Another IV Euphoria or Anger condition

Schachter and Singer Each participant taken and introduced to another participant (a stooge) Euphoria - the stooge engaged in manic activities aimed to create a sense of euphoria - threw balls at waste paper basket, flew paper planes, twirled a hula hoop and other such hilarious games

Schachter and Singer Each participant taken and introduced to another participant (a stooge) Anger - both participant and stooge given long questionnaire VERY personal and insulting questions - the stooge ‘pretended’ to get VERY angry Finally - ripped up his questionnaire and stamped out

Schachter and Singer NOTE Ps in the misinformed condition were only exposed to the euphoric stooge - S & S thought this would be enough to evaluate their ‘state’

Schachter and Singer SUMMARY of CONDITIONS informed ignorant misinformed placebo E/A adrenalin E/A E/A E

Schachter and Singer THE RESULTS 2 ways of measuring the emotional states? 1st DV Ps behaviour observed through a one way mirror - two experimenters recorded how the Ps behaved in response - did they join in, or ignore - (Activity index)

Schachter and Singer THE RESULTS 2 ways of measuring the emotional states? 2nd DV Self report scales - Ps told that mood could affect vision, asked to self report ‘emotions’

Schachter and Singer THE RESULT 2nd DV critical questions - How irritated or angry do you feel now How good or happy are you at present measured on a FIVE point scale 0 = not at all angry 4 = I feel extremely angry

Schachter and Singer THE RESULTS also asked Did you feel any palpitations, own heart beat the misinformed group Did you feel any numbness (also rated on 5 point scale)

Schachter and Singer THE DEBRIEFING Participants were told the true purpose of the experiment asked if they had any suspicions about the experimental procedures

Schachter and Singer RESULTS Ps in the ADRENALIN condition showed more sympathetic arousal than those in the placebo condition Ps in the ignorant or misinformed groups rated their euphoria higher than in the informed condition

Schachter and Singer RESULTS Ps in the ignorant or misinformed groups rated their euphoria higher than in the informed condition supports the hypothesis as they had no other explanation for their physiological response (to the adrenalin )

Schachter and Singer RESULTS Misinformed behaved more euphorically than did the ignorant Ignorant behaved more euphorically than the informed mis ig inf 22.56 18.28 12.78

Schachter and Singer RESULTS ANGER - there was less difference between the groups but they might have been reluctant to show anger as they may have feared losing their exam points!

Schachter and Singer RESULTS the results of the placebo group were ambiguous

Schachter and Singer CONCLUSION people label their emotional state according to available cognitions If there is NO physiological arousal, cognitive cues to emotion have no effect

Schachter and Singer SUMMARY Schachter and Singer conclude that First we feel the physiological state Then we look around for a clue to tell us what we are feeling.

EVALUATION & Criticism Another REDUCTIONIST explanation for emotion BUT You should read up the Dutton and Aron study Falling in love on a suspension bridge

Schachter and Singer ETHICS? How can this be criticised?

Schachter and Singer METHODOLOGY? LAB Experiment What are the disadvantages? What are the advantages?

Schachter and Singer How many groups? What were the IVs? How were the DVs measured?

Schachter and Singer This experiment has never been replicated The results may not be reliable THE END