James-Lange theory of emotion

• The James-Lange theory proposes that emotions follow physiological arousal, with the brain activating during an event, arousal occurring as a result of the activation, and emotion being registered after the arousal.
• One strength of the James-Lange theory is that there are real-life examples of emotions following physiological arousal.
• Emotional states often follow physiological arousal in cases of phobias or panic disorders.
• Tripping in public can lead to an emotional reaction as it is embarrassing, therefore avoiding public situations as there is now a negative association between the situation and the emotion.
• As predicted by the James-Lange theory, emotion and avoidance occur as a result of a physiological reaction.
• The James-Lange theory has been challenged by the Cannon-Bard theory, which suggests that physiological change and emotion happen simultaneously instead of one after the other.
• We feel embarrassed at the same time we blush, which suggests that physiological change and emotion can happen simultaneously.
• Some physiological change does not get given an emotion, such as exercising.
• The Cannon-Bard theory explains emotional situations that the James-Lange theory cannot.
• Schachter and Singer two factor theory suggests that there is a two factor model and is more complex than James-Lange has suggested.
• According to Schachter and Singer, arousal comes before emotion but we have to pay attention to the social cues and context of the situation.
• Seeing a bear and kissing someone both have the same physiological reaction but we receive different emotions from both, suggesting that the James-Lange theory is too simple for a complex process.