1. I CAN:
Distinguish the 5 theories of emotion and apply them to my life!

2. Theories of Emotion
James-Lange Theory An emotion-provoking stimulus produces a physical response that, in turn, produces an emotion
Emotions come about as a result of these physiological changes, rather than being their cause.

3. I see a bear  My muscles tense, my heart races  I feel afraid
James-Lange Theory
I see a bear  My muscles tense, my heart races  I feel afraid

4. I see a bear  I feel afraid  I tense in readiness to run away.
Theories of Emotion
Cannon-Bard Theory An emotional feeling and an internal physiological response occur at the same time
I see a bear  I feel afraid  I tense in readiness to run away.
One is not the cause of the other
Both the result of a cognitive appraisal of the situation

6. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
James-Lange Theory
Physiological arousal trembling increased heart rate
Stimulus snake
Emotion fear
Physiological arousal trembling increased heart rate
Emotion fear
Cannon-Bard Theory
Stimulus snake
Cognitive interpretation “I feel afraid!”
Physiological arousal trembling increased heart rate
Two-Factor Theory
Emotion fear
Stimulus
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

7. Theories of Emotion
Cognitive Appraisal Theory Theory that individuals decide on an appropriate emotion following the event
In the absence of physiological arousal, we decide what to feel after interpreting or explaining what has just happened.

8. Example Cognitive Appraisal Theory
When a colleague gets promoted, you might feel resentful if you think you deserve the promotion more than they do.

9. After reading the remarks from a teacher on a paper...
…you decide if they are positive or not

10. Opponent-Process Theory
Theory that emotions have pairs
When we trigger one emotion, we suppress its opposite

11. Two Emotion Processing Systems in the Brain
1. Fast Response System
2. Slow Response System
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

12. Arousal Theory and the Inverted “U”
Inverted “U” Function
Describes the relationship between arousal and performance
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

13. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Inverted “U” Function
Too much or too little arousal can impair performance
The most advantageous level for tasks needs to be identified
Performance
Low
High
Arousal Level
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

14. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Arousal Theory
People seek an optimal level of arousal that maximizes their performance.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

15. CAN I?
Distinguish the 5 theories of emotion and apply them to my life!