THEORIES OF EMOTION

EMOTION is a set of complex reactions to stimuli involving subjective feelings, physiological arousal, and observable behavior.

There are many theories concerning the causes of emotion. The four more commonly promoted theories are:

1. James-Lange Theory of EmotionWe have experiences, and as a result, our autonomic nervous system signals the sympathetic nervous system to activate resulting in physiological changes.This theory proposes that emotions happen as a result of these physiological changes, rather than being the cause of them.

The sequence thus is as follows:Event ==> interpretation ==> arousal ==> emotion

You see Your heart Fear a lion races occurs

2. Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion

When a stimulating event happens, we feel emotions and physiological changes at the same time.

The sequence thus is as follows:Event ==> Simultaneous arousal and emotion

You see a lion Your heart races and fear occurs at the same time

3. Cognitive Appraisal Theories of Emotion

In the absence of physiological arousal, we decide what to feel after interpreting or explaining what has just happened. Two things are important in this: whether we interpret the event as good or bad for us, and what we believe is the cause of the event.

The sequence thus is as follows:Event ==> thinking ==> Simultaneous arousal and emotion

You see a lion You think “does the If “Yes” your heart lion present a danger races and fear

to me?” occurs

4. Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

The first step is to experience physiological arousal. We then try to find a label to explain our feelings, usually by looking at what we are doing and what else is happening at the time of the arousal. Thus we don’t just feel angry, happy or whatever: we experience feeling and then decide what they mean.The sequence thus is as follows:Event ==> arousal ==> reasoning ==> emotion

You see Your heart You think Fear a lion races “Should I be occurs

scared?”

1. James-Lange Theory of Emotion

Event ==> interpretation ==> arousal ==> emotion

2. Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion

3. Cognitive Appraisal Theories of Emotion

Event ==> thinking ==> Simultaneous arousal and emotion

4. Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

Event ==> arousal ==> reasoning ==> emotion

THE FOUR THEORIES OF EMOTION

Event ==> Simultaneous arousal and emotion

Which theory is most correct?

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE• Emotional

Intelligence is a concept created by Dr. Daniel Goleman. It promotes the effective and appropriate use of emotions in social situations.

Emotionally intelligent people share FIVE main characteristics

1. SELF - AWARENESS• Recognizing and being aware of your own

emotions.

2. MANAGING YOUR EMOTIONS• Regulating your emotions and expressing

them properly

Emotions are subjective. Managing emotions requires you to be objective with your emotions.

3. EMPATHY

• Being emotionally sensitive to others

The ability to sense how another thinks and feels although we have no knowledge of the state of mind of others.

4. MOTIVATING YOURSELF• Using your emotions to motivate yourself

toward a goal

5. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS

* Dealing with people who have different views.

5. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS

* Being persuasive and communicative

5. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS

*Managing conflict

5. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS

* Working as a member of a team