james lange theory

• James-Lange theory


  1. EVENT

  2. AROUSAL

  3. INTERPRETATION

  4. EMOTION
• James-Lange theory


  • Physiological arousal first
  • Emotion afterwards
• No physical changes = no emotion
• Physiological changes in the body

  Cause the emotion we feel and cause us to react to the situation we are in
• Strength of James-Lange theory


  • Emotional states seem to follow physiological arousal in cases such as phobias or panic disorders
  • Emotion and avoidance occur as a result of the physiological reaction
• James-Lange theory


  Challenged by Cannon-Bard theory
• Cannon-Bard theory


  • Emotions and physiological arousal are simultaneous, not one after the other
  • Some physiological changes do not necessarily lead to an emotion as the James-Lange theory would predict
• The two-factor theory suggests emotion may be more complex than the James-Lange theory
• Two-factor theory


  • Physiological arousal does come before the emotion
  • We also need social cues to correctly label the emotion we are feeling
  • Can explain how we can interpret the same physical state very differently depending on the situation and the social cues
• The James-Lange theory does not explain how a person 'decides' what emotion they are experiencing
• Physiological reaction


  As predicted by the theory
• Cannon-Bard theory


  Challenges the James-Lange theory
• Emotions and physiological arousal occur simultaneously according to the Cannon-Bard theory, not one after the other
• Some physiological changes (e.g. during exercise) do not necessarily lead to an emotion as the James-Lange theory would predict
• The Cannon-Bard theory draws attention to emotional situations that the James-Lange theory would struggle to explain
• The James-Lange theory may be too simple