Schachter’s Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

This theory is similar to Bem’s explanation for the cause of behavior in general. Schachter’s theory looks specifically at how we decide what emotion we are experiencing – when we are experiencing one. This theory is similar to Bem’s explanation for the cause of behavior in general. Schachter’s theory looks specifically at how we decide what emotion we are experiencing – when we are experiencing one.

When trying to understand what kind of person we are, we first watch what we do and feel and then deduce our nature from this. When trying to understand what kind of person we are, we first watch what we do and feel and then deduce our nature from this. This means that the first step in the experience of emotion is to experience physiological arousal. You are physiologically up or down, compared to normal This means that the first step in the experience of emotion is to experience physiological arousal. You are physiologically up or down, compared to normal

We then try to find a label to explain our feelings, usually by looking at what we are doing (behavior) and what else is happening at the time of the arousal (environment). We then try to find a label to explain our feelings, usually by looking at what we are doing (behavior) and what else is happening at the time of the arousal (environment). Thus we don’t just feel angry, happy or whatever: we experience general feeling and then decide what they mean, a specific emotion. Thus we don’t just feel angry, happy or whatever: we experience general feeling and then decide what they mean, a specific emotion.

Two Factor Theory Physiological arousal (up or down) occurs Physiological arousal (up or down) occurs + Environmental circumstances Environmental circumstances = Attributed emotion Attributed emotion

Example 1 I am tense and sweating I am tense and sweating + A gun is being pointed at me A gun is being pointed at me = I am afraid I am afraid

Example 2 I am tense and sweating I am tense and sweating + Sorority Sue is looking at me and smiling Sorority Sue is looking at me and smiling = I am in love I am in love

Note in these two examples, the state of arousal that the person is experiencing is the same. What changes is the environment. Note in these two examples, the state of arousal that the person is experiencing is the same. What changes is the environment. Two-factor theory argues that the cues in the environment are what determine the emotion that we believe we are experiencing. Two-factor theory argues that the cues in the environment are what determine the emotion that we believe we are experiencing.

Have you ever heard (or been told) someone say to a friend who is a bit unhappy, “You need to go somewhere fun. You’ll feel better.”? Have you ever heard (or been told) someone say to a friend who is a bit unhappy, “You need to go somewhere fun. You’ll feel better.”? This statement is actually an application of Schachter’s theory. Change the environment and the emotion will change with it. This statement is actually an application of Schachter’s theory. Change the environment and the emotion will change with it.

Would this work for severely depressed people? No Would this work for severely depressed people? No But, for minor ups and downs, there is something to the argument. But, for minor ups and downs, there is something to the argument.

Research Example Schachter and Singer (1962) gave some people a mild stimulant and others a placebo (on a pretence of testing vitamins). They then gave them a questionnaire containing rather personal questions. Another person in the room got angry at the questionnaire. The people who had been given the stimulant (and thus felt aroused) reported that they felt angry themselves. Schachter and Singer (1962) gave some people a mild stimulant and others a placebo (on a pretence of testing vitamins). They then gave them a questionnaire containing rather personal questions. Another person in the room got angry at the questionnaire. The people who had been given the stimulant (and thus felt aroused) reported that they felt angry themselves.

Stimulant : Arousal Stimulant : Arousal + Environment: An angry person Environment: An angry person = Emotion: I am angry too Emotion: I am angry too

Research Example Dutton and Aron (1974) had an attractive woman ask for interviews of young men. Some were interviewed on a swaying rope bridge, 200 ft above a river. Others were interviewed on level ground. A part way through the interview, she gives them her phone number. Over 60 % from the rope bridge called her. Only 30% interviewed on ground called her. Dutton and Aron (1974) had an attractive woman ask for interviews of young men. Some were interviewed on a swaying rope bridge, 200 ft above a river. Others were interviewed on level ground. A part way through the interview, she gives them her phone number. Over 60 % from the rope bridge called her. Only 30% interviewed on ground called her.

Explanation: Bridge Interviewees Explanation: Bridge Interviewees Arousal Arousal + Attractive woman gave me her phone number Attractive woman gave me her phone number = Emotion: I must like her (I’m turned on). I’ll call Emotion: I must like her (I’m turned on). I’ll call

Explanation: Ground Interviewees Explanation: Ground Interviewees No arousal No arousal + Attractive woman gave me her phone number Attractive woman gave me her phone number + Emotion: I must not be interested (she doesn’t turn me on). I won’t call. Emotion: I must not be interested (she doesn’t turn me on). I won’t call.

Two-factor theory says that the emotion that we feel that we are experiencing when we are aroused is determined by factors present in our environment. The environmental factors determine the emotion that we believe we are experiencing. Two-factor theory says that the emotion that we feel that we are experiencing when we are aroused is determined by factors present in our environment. The environmental factors determine the emotion that we believe we are experiencing.

How do we know what emotion to attach to an experience? This must be learned. How do we know what emotion to attach to an experience? This must be learned.

Example I am a child and I am aroused I am a child and I am aroused + I am in front of a lion cage and dad is telling me not to be afraid I am in front of a lion cage and dad is telling me not to be afraid = The arousal I am experiencing must be fear The arousal I am experiencing must be fear

Example I am a child watching a high wire act in a circus and I am aroused I am a child watching a high wire act in a circus and I am aroused + Dad tells me that this is really exciting to him Dad tells me that this is really exciting to him = The arousal I am experiencing must be excitement The arousal I am experiencing must be excitement