CHS AP Psychology Unit 8 Motivation Emotion and

CHS AP Psychology Unit 8: Motivation, Emotion and Stress Essential Task 8. 7: Compare and contrast the major theories of emotion James–Lange Theory, Cognitive Appraisal Theory, Schachter two-factor theory, Cannon–Bard Theory and Opponent Process Theory.

Emotion • The experience of feelings • A response of the whole organism involving physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience

Basic Emotions • How many emotions can you name? • Plutchik proposed that there are eight basic emotions • • Fear Surprise Sadness Disgust • • Anger Anticipation Joy Acceptance

Plutchik’s Basic Emotions

Basic Emotions • Some have criticized Plutchik’s model as applying only to English-speakers • Devised Primary vs. Secondary Emotions – – Be evident in all cultures Contribute to survival Distinct facial expression Evident in Nonhuman primates • Revised model of basic emotions includes: – – – Happiness Surprise Sadness Fear Disgust Anger

Theories 1. James-Lange Theory 2. Cannon-Bard Theory 3. Two-Factor (Schachter-Singer) Theory

James-Lange Theory William James and Carl Lange proposed an idea that was diametrically opposed to the common-sense view. The James. Lange Theory proposes that physiological activity precedes the emotional experience.

James-Lange theory Body = emotion “Without the bodily states following on the perception, the latter would be purely cognitive in form; pale, colorless, destitute of emotional warmth. We might then see the bear, and judge it best to run. . . But we should not actually feel afraid. ” (William James, 1890) James, 1890, v. 2, p. 449 (Gleitman)

James-Lange : Testing the Theory • Test #1: Interviewed people with high vs. low spinal cord injuries High spinal cord injury: “Sometimes I act angry. . . But it doesn’t have the heat to it that it used to. It’s a mental kind of anger. ” Hohman, 1966, pp. 150 -151 (Carlson) • Test #2: Gave adrenaline shots to people “I feel as if I’m angry or afraid. ” • The idea is that you need your body in order to feel the full emotional experience.

James-Lange theory • Situation bodily reaction emotion FEAR or LOVE?

Cannon-Bard Theory Walter Cannon and Phillip Bard questioned the James-Lange Theory and proposed that an emotiontriggering stimulus and the body's arousal take place simultaneously.

Cannon-Bard Theory • See snake, run and fear simultaneous • Stimulus to thalamus -- sends simultaneous messages to: – Lymbic system (arousal) – Cortex (fear)

Also known as the Schachter-Singer Theory Two-Factor Theory • Stanley Schachter and Jerome Singer proposed yet another theory which suggests our physiology and cognitions create emotions. • Emotions have two factors–physical arousal and cognitive label.

Two-Factor Theory • Situation bodily reaction emotion + cognitive appraisal FEAR LOVE

Spill over effect An arousal response to one event spills over into our response to the next event. Spill over effect Arousal from a soccer match can fuel anger, which may lead to rioting. Arousal fuels emotion, cognition channels it.