Theories of Emotion
Everyone has a different level of emotion. Emotion can be positive and negative. We cannot detect emotion every time by direct observation. Because of this, we need to have theory of emotion.
Psychology has been told about all the theories of emotion. These theories explained how emotions come. If we understand all theories of emotion. Then we have a deep knowledge of emotion. So, theories of emotion should be read in detail.
Psychology has many theories of emotion. Some theories are based on basic principles. And some theories act contrary to the basic principles. The main theories of emotion are six types. They are James-Lange theory, Canon-Bard theory, Schachter-Singer theory, Cognitive Meditational theory, Papez’s theory, and Facial Feedback hypothesis. James-Lange is the first theory of emotion.
This theory was proposed by William James (1884) and Carl Lange (1885). W. James and C. Lange’s theory is based on the same principle. Because according to them physiological arousal first. And then there is emotion.
This theory is the oldest theory of emotion than other theory of emotion. Physiological arousal has priority in this theory. Emotions can never come first. Before this, there is physical arousal in the body.
Example-
When we suddenly see snack. Our heart beat faster. And we start sweating. Only after all this do we feel scared.
In 1884, William James explained that a physiological change leads to emotions and it is a subjective phenomenon. Emotions are the result of physiological reactions.
According to James, the sequence of events in emotion:-
In 1885, Carl Lange developed similar ideas as James. According to C. Lange, emotion is the demonstration of physiological changes.
According to both James and Lange, Physiological responses are most important to experience emotion. And without the first response (physiological arousal) emotion not occurs.
Immediate and primary causes of emotion are physiological arousal (heart beating, sweating, pounding).
Canon Bard theory was proposed by Walter Bradford Cannon (1927) and Philip Bard (1934). This theory is also known as the “Thalamic theory of emotion” According to them both conditions happen simultaneously. Because physical changes and emotions happen together. Canon Bard’s theory plays an important role.
This theory explained that feelings of emotions and physiological changes occur simultaneously. In brief, physiological reactions are not dependent upon emotional experience. They are independent. When a stimulus is present in environmental conditions then the thalamus transmits signals to the amygdala. The amygdala plays an important role in emotions related to fear.
Example-
When a dangerous dog barks. Then we feel conscious fear. And with it come physiological changes. These physiological changes occur with emotion.
According to this theory, the structure of the thalamus is most important in emotion because the thalamus sends the information related to stimulus to the amygdala.
In 1962, Schachter Singer’s theory was proposed by Stanley Schachter and Jerome E. Singer. This is a cognitive theory of emotion.
It is also known as “Jukebox theory” and “Two Factor Theory.” They explained that emotion occurs after two conditioning takes place. The two conditions are physiological arousal and cognitive label. Because both conditions occur simultaneously. So, humans feel emotion.
This theory explains that physiological arousal and a cognitive label are responsible for emotion. And it is dependent on the interaction between physical arousal and cognitive label.
In this example, the person is also scared with physiological arousal. And only then does he feel fear.
In this theory, Stimulus has two effects, first cognitive awareness, and second physiological responses. And this theory leads to cognitive labels.
In 1991, the cognitive meditational theory was proposed by Richard Lazarus. The cognitive meditational theory is also known as the “appraisal theory of emotion.” And appraisal mediates between stimulus and emotional expression.
In this example, a person first assesses the threat. And only after that, his physiological arousal occur.
Lazarus explained that cognitive activity could be conscious or unconscious and may or may not be conceptual processing. And the cognitive process is the mediate between stimulus and response. The situation of the appraisal would come before physiological arousal and emotion.
In 1898, Charles Darwin’s book “Expression of the Emotions in man and animals.” Charles Darwin explained that facial expressions as a way of communicating and facial expressions are a universal phenomenon.
Emotion is not possible without facial expression. Because a second response cannot occur without the first response. So, the first response is very important.
The stimulus is presented with the help of causes and facial expressions. And after this process, the brain provides information related to emotion. The brain interprets the emotion and intensity of the emotion.
We can understand our emotions. And you can also control your emotions. Emotions also have physiological changes. The cycle of emotion is disturbed due to mental illness. Some people get more emotional. And some have very little emotion. Sometimes due to injury in the brain, emotions completely disappear. Because neuron activity in the brain decreases.
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