James-Lange theory of emotion

• James-Lange theory

  • Physiological changes occur first, which causes an emotion
• Event$\rightarrow$ Arousal$\rightarrow$ Interpretation$\rightarrow$ Emotion
• Event

  • Activates the hypothalamus which instructs the sympathetic division of the ANS
• Arousal

  • Leads to the release of adrenaline which creates physiological arousal
  • Increases our heart rate etc.
• Interpretation

  • Our brain makes an interpretation about the physiological changes and decides how we feel
• Emotion

  • Depending on the interpretation, we feel an emotion
  • E.g, fear, excitement etc.
• Evaluation of James-Lange theory (1)

  • Weakness
  • Theory is challenged by the Canon-bard theory
  • Canon-Bard states that we experience emotions at the same time as physiological arousal
  • This theory can explain emotional theories that James-Lange cannot
• Evaluation of James-Lange theory (2)

  • Weakness
  • Theory is challenged by the two-factor theory
  • Theory states that we need arousal and social cues to label the emotion we're feeling
  • James-Lange does not explain how a person decides what emotion they are feeling
• Evaluation of James-Lange theory (3)

  • Strength
  • Real-life examples
  • A phobia can develop as a result of the emotion created.
  • Shows that emotional responses such as fear are a result of physiological arousal like increased heart rate