There are three aspects to all emotions: (1) cognitive, (2) physiological, and (3)
behavioral. The cognitive aspect of emotionsrefers to what one is thinking
when one feels an emotion. Thoughts such as “What a wonderful day,” “I hate
him,” and “I think we’re going to crash” are likely to either induce emotional
states or be associated with them.
The physiological aspect of emotionsrefers to the disruption of homeo-
static baselines. As already indicated, emotions are associated with either increased
or decreased arousal. Fear is associated with increased arousal. Depression is asso-
ciated with decreased arousal.
Thebehavioral aspect of emotionsrefers to what peopledowhen they feel
an emotion, what actions they take. Fear might induce a person to runaway, if pos-
sible, from the stimulus source that is causing fear. If a person can’t run, he or she
might shake and tremble. If the fear is being caused by a threat from a menacing per-
son, one might plead, turn over a purse or wallet, or beg for mercy. On the other
hand, an emotion such as depression might induce a particular person to sit in a chair
and mope. Another person in response to depression might go on an eating binge.(a) What one is thinking when one feels an emotion is what aspect of emotions?(b) Disruption of homeostatic baselines refers to what aspect of emotions?
(c) The actions people take when they feel an emotion refer to what aspect of emotions?Answers: (a)Cognitive; (b) Physiological; (c) Behavioral.Theories of Emotion: Explaining the Process
There are three principal theories of emotion that attempt to explain the general
emotional process: (1) the James-Lange theory, (2) the Cannon-Bard theory, and
(3) the cognitive appraisal theory.
The James-Lange theory was proposed independently by two men,
William James in the United States and Carl Lange in Denmark. The theory states
that an emotion can be induced by an action. The following example is based on
observations made by James. Let’s say that you see a bear in a forest. Common
sense tells you that if you run away, the action of running is motivated by fear. On
the other hand, according to James, common sense tells only half of the story. It
is equally true that running makesyou feel fear. At first presentation this does not
seem reasonable. On the other hand, reflection suggests that the act of running has
the effect of increasing arousal. If you were simply to get up now and run in place
for two or three minutes, you would increase your pulse and heart rate; there110 PSYCHOLOGY