1
Theories and Physiology of Emotion (Module 38)
Theories of Emotion
James-Lange Theory (late 1890s)
Explanation
Example
Schachter and Singer’s Two-Factor Theory
(1962)
Explanation
Example
Cannon-Bard Theory (Early 1900s)
Explanation
Example
Zajonc (1980s) and LeDoux (early 2000s)
Explanation
Example
Lazarus (1990s)
Explanation
Example
Briefly summarize Schachter and Singer’s experiment with epinephrine in the waiting room. What is the
key component that causes participants to create the label for the emotion they are experiencing?
Emotions and the Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic Nervous System (MOBILIZES)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (CALMS)
2
Describe how the Yerkes-Dodson Law explains emotional arousal using the diagram provided.
Physiology of Emotions
Describe the relationship between different emotions and the following brain stimulations…
Insula
Amygdala
Prefrontal Cortex
Frontal Lobe
Describe the relationship between different emotions and the following…
Facial Feature Changes
Physiological Responses
Polygraph Tests
What do they measure?
What are the arguments against
the effectiveness of them?
Why are they so popular on TV
if evidence shows them to be so
wrong?
3
Expressed Emotion (Module 39)
Detecting Emotions in Others
Cite three examples from the text to support the following statement: “Humans communicate and
detect emotion nonverbally.”
1.
2.
3.
Explain how a Duchenne smile differs from a feigned smile. (You may need to look up the definition of each one)
Briefly summarize how the research findings suggest men and women recognize and experience
emotion differently from one another.
Why is it often difficult to tell when someone is being dishonest?
Culture and Emotional Expression
Explain how different nonverbal cues convey emotion across cultures. If possible, provide a specific example for
each and address how each can be interpreted correctly or incorrectly based on one’s culture.
Gestures
Facial Expressions
Music
4
Why are smiles and expressed emotions social as well as emotional?
The Effects of Facial Expression
Using original examples, discuss how facial expressions can actually influence emotion. Explain why this
is counterintuitive.
Define and give an examples of a facial feedback effect.
Briefly explain the behavior feedback phenomenon.
On which specific areas does health psychology focus?