Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Theories of EmotionEvolutionary TheoryJames-Lange TheoryCannon-Bard TheorySchachter-Singer TheoryCognitive Appraisal TheoryFacial-Feedback TheoryComparing the Six Theories of Emotion
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Theories of Emotion
Evolutionary Theory
James-Lange Theory
Cannon-Bard Theory
Schachter-Singer Theory
Cognitive Appraisal Theory
Facial-Feedback Theory
Comparing the Six Theories of Emotion
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Emotions can be complex and confusing. Why exactly do we have emotions? What causes them? Researchers, philosophers, and psychologists have proposed various theories of emotion to explain the how and why behind our complex feelings.
There are many different theories of emotion that seek to explain the purpose, causes, and effects of people’s emotional reactions. Emotions exert a potent force on human behavior. Strong emotions can cause people to take actions they might not normally perform or to avoid situations they enjoy.
Emotion is a complex state of feeling that results in physical and psychological changes that influence thought and behavior. Such feelings include physiological arousal, conscious experiences, and behavioral expressions. Emotionality is associated with a range of psychological phenomena, including temperament,personality, mood, andmotivation.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the theories of emotions, what they mean, and how they help explain different aspects of our emotional experiences.
Emotional theories vary in terms of what they focus on. The major theories of emotion can be grouped into three main categories:
In addition to these three main categories, psychologists have proposed six main theories of emotion: evolutionary theory, James-Lange theory, Cannon-Bard theory, Schachter-Singer theory, cognitive appraisal theory, and facial-feedback theory.
Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou
Evolutionary Theory of Emotion
This theory suggests that emotions have an evolutionary origin. NaturalistCharles Darwinproposed that emotions evolved because they were adaptive and allowed humans and animals to survive and reproduce. Feelings of love and affection lead people to seek mates and reproduce. Feelings of fear compel people to fight or flee the source of danger.
According to the evolutionary theory of emotion, our emotions exist because they serve an adaptive role.Emotions motivate people to respond quickly to stimuli in the environment, which helps improve the chances of success and survival.
Understanding the emotions of other people and animals also plays a crucial role in safety and survival. If you encounter a hissing, spitting, and clawing animal, chances are you will quickly realize that the animal is frightened or defensive and leave it alone.
Being able to interpret correctly the emotional displays of other people and animals allows you to respond correctly and avoid danger.
How Evolutionary Psychology Explains Human Behavior
The James-Lange Theory of Emotion
According to the James-Lange theory of emotion, an external stimulus leads to a physiological reaction. Your emotional reaction depends upon how you interpret those physical reactions.
For example, suppose you are walking in the woods and see a grizzly bear. You begin to tremble, and your heart begins to race. The James-Lange theory proposes that you will conclude that you are frightened (“I am trembling. Therefore, I am afraid”).
According to this theory of emotion, you are not trembling because you are frightened. Instead, you feel frightened because you are trembling.
The Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion
Another well-known physiological theory is theCannon-Bard theory of emotion. Walter Cannon disagreed with the James-Lange theory of emotion on several different grounds. First, he suggested, people can experience physiological reactions linked to emotions without actually feeling those emotions. For example, your heart might race because you have been exercising, not because you are afraid.
Cannon also suggested that emotional responses occur too quickly to simply be products of physical states. When you encounter danger in the environment, you will often feel afraid before you start to experience the physical symptoms associated with fear, such as shaking hands, rapid breathing, and a racing heart.
According to the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion, we feel emotions and experience physiological reactions such as sweating, trembling, and muscle tension simultaneously.
More specifically, the theory proposes that emotions result when thethalamus sends a message to the brainin response to a stimulus, resulting in a physiological reaction. At the same time, the brain also receives signals triggering the emotional experience.
Cannon and Bard’s theory suggests that the physical and psychological experience of emotion happens simultaneously and that one does not cause the other.
Also known as the two-factor theory of emotion, theSchachter-Singer theoryis an example of acognitive theoryof emotion. This theory suggests that physiological arousal occurs first, and then the individual must identify the reason for thisarousalto experience and label it as an emotion. A stimulus leads to a physiological response that is then cognitively interpreted and labeled, resulting in an emotion.
Schachter and Singer’s theory draws on both the James-Lange theory and the Cannon-Bard theory. Like the James-Lange theory, the Schachter-Singer theory proposes that people infer emotions based on physiological responses. The critical factor is the situation and the cognitive interpretation that people use to label that emotion.
The Schachter-Singer theory is a cognitive theory of emotion that suggests our thoughts are responsible for emotions.
Like the Cannon-Bard theory, the Schachter-Singer theory also suggests that similar physiological responses can produce varying emotions. For example, if you experience a racing heart and sweating palms during an important exam, you will probably identify the emotion as anxiety. If you experience the same physical responses on a date, you might interpret those responses as love, affection, or arousal.
According to appraisal theories of emotion, thinking must occur first before experiencing emotion. Richard Lazarus was a pioneer in this area of emotion, and this theory is often referred to as the Lazarus theory of emotion.
The cognitive appraisal theory asserts that your brain first appraises a situation, and the resulting response is an emotion.
For example, if you encounter a bear in the woods, you might immediately begin to think that you are in great danger. This then leads to the emotional experience of fear and the physical reactions associated with thefight-or-flight response.
Facial-Feedback Theory of Emotion
The facial-feedback theory of emotions suggests that facial expressions are connected to experiencing emotions. Charles Darwin and William James both noted early on that, sometimes, physiological responses often have a direct impact on emotion, rather than simply being a consequence of the emotion.
The facial-feedback theory suggests that emotions are directly tied to changes in facial muscles. For example, people who are forced to smile pleasantly at a social function will have a better time at the event than they would if they had frowned or carried a more neutral facial expression.
TheorySummaryEvolutionaryEmotions have evolved to aid in survivalJames-LangeEmotions are the result of interpreting physical reactionsCannon-BardEmotions and physical reactions occur simultaneouslySchachter-SingerEmotions stem from cognitive evaluations of physical reactionsCognitive AppraisalEmotions stem from our cognitive appraisalsFacial FeedbackFacial expressions influence emotional experiencesTakeawaysAlthough emotions impact every decision we make and the way we see the world, there is still much mystery surrounding why we have them. Many of these theories that have been proposed take either a physiological, neurological, or cognitive approach to explain how and why we experience the complex range of emotions. Theories of emotion continue to evolve, exploring what causes feelings and how these feelings affect us.Coping With Emotionally Draining Friends
Takeaways
Although emotions impact every decision we make and the way we see the world, there is still much mystery surrounding why we have them. Many of these theories that have been proposed take either a physiological, neurological, or cognitive approach to explain how and why we experience the complex range of emotions. Theories of emotion continue to evolve, exploring what causes feelings and how these feelings affect us.
Coping With Emotionally Draining Friends
9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pacella D, Ponticorvo M, Gigliotta O, Miglino O.Basic emotions and adaptation. A computational and evolutionary model.PLoS One. 2017;12(11):e0187463. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187463Šimić G, Tkalčić M, Vukić V, et al.Understanding emotions: Origins and roles of the amygdala.Biomolecules. 2021;11(6):823. doi:10.3390/biom11060823Ningjian L.Cannon-bard theory of emotion. In:The ECPH Encyclopedia of Psychology. Springer Nature Singapore; 2024:1-2. doi:10.1007/978-981-99-6000-2_273-1Stanojlovic O, Sutulovic N, Hrncic D, et al.Neural pathways underlying the interplay between emotional experience and behavior, from old theories to modern insight.Arch Biol Sci (Beogr). 2021;73(3):361-370.Dror OE.Deconstructing the “two factors”: The historical origins of the Schachter–Singer theory of emotions.Emotion Review. 2016;9(1):7-16. doi:10.1177/1754073916639663Schachter S, Singer J.Cognitive, social, and physiological determinants of emotional state.Psychol Rev.1962;69(5):379-399. doi:10.1037/h0046234Moors A.Appraisal theory of emotion. In: Zeigler-Hill V, Shackelford TK, eds.Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer International Publishing; 2017:1-9. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_493-1Lazarus RS, Folkman S.Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. Springer Publishing Company.Marsh AA, Rhoads SA, Ryan RM.A multi-semester classroom demonstration yields evidence in support of the facial feedback effect.Emotion. 2019;19(8):1500-1504. doi:10.1037/emo0000532
9 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pacella D, Ponticorvo M, Gigliotta O, Miglino O.Basic emotions and adaptation. A computational and evolutionary model.PLoS One. 2017;12(11):e0187463. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187463Šimić G, Tkalčić M, Vukić V, et al.Understanding emotions: Origins and roles of the amygdala.Biomolecules. 2021;11(6):823. doi:10.3390/biom11060823Ningjian L.Cannon-bard theory of emotion. In:The ECPH Encyclopedia of Psychology. Springer Nature Singapore; 2024:1-2. doi:10.1007/978-981-99-6000-2_273-1Stanojlovic O, Sutulovic N, Hrncic D, et al.Neural pathways underlying the interplay between emotional experience and behavior, from old theories to modern insight.Arch Biol Sci (Beogr). 2021;73(3):361-370.Dror OE.Deconstructing the “two factors”: The historical origins of the Schachter–Singer theory of emotions.Emotion Review. 2016;9(1):7-16. doi:10.1177/1754073916639663Schachter S, Singer J.Cognitive, social, and physiological determinants of emotional state.Psychol Rev.1962;69(5):379-399. doi:10.1037/h0046234Moors A.Appraisal theory of emotion. In: Zeigler-Hill V, Shackelford TK, eds.Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer International Publishing; 2017:1-9. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_493-1Lazarus RS, Folkman S.Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. Springer Publishing Company.Marsh AA, Rhoads SA, Ryan RM.A multi-semester classroom demonstration yields evidence in support of the facial feedback effect.Emotion. 2019;19(8):1500-1504. doi:10.1037/emo0000532
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pacella D, Ponticorvo M, Gigliotta O, Miglino O.Basic emotions and adaptation. A computational and evolutionary model.PLoS One. 2017;12(11):e0187463. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187463Šimić G, Tkalčić M, Vukić V, et al.Understanding emotions: Origins and roles of the amygdala.Biomolecules. 2021;11(6):823. doi:10.3390/biom11060823Ningjian L.Cannon-bard theory of emotion. In:The ECPH Encyclopedia of Psychology. Springer Nature Singapore; 2024:1-2. doi:10.1007/978-981-99-6000-2_273-1Stanojlovic O, Sutulovic N, Hrncic D, et al.Neural pathways underlying the interplay between emotional experience and behavior, from old theories to modern insight.Arch Biol Sci (Beogr). 2021;73(3):361-370.Dror OE.Deconstructing the “two factors”: The historical origins of the Schachter–Singer theory of emotions.Emotion Review. 2016;9(1):7-16. doi:10.1177/1754073916639663Schachter S, Singer J.Cognitive, social, and physiological determinants of emotional state.Psychol Rev.1962;69(5):379-399. doi:10.1037/h0046234Moors A.Appraisal theory of emotion. In: Zeigler-Hill V, Shackelford TK, eds.Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer International Publishing; 2017:1-9. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_493-1Lazarus RS, Folkman S.Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. Springer Publishing Company.Marsh AA, Rhoads SA, Ryan RM.A multi-semester classroom demonstration yields evidence in support of the facial feedback effect.Emotion. 2019;19(8):1500-1504. doi:10.1037/emo0000532
Pacella D, Ponticorvo M, Gigliotta O, Miglino O.Basic emotions and adaptation. A computational and evolutionary model.PLoS One. 2017;12(11):e0187463. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187463
Šimić G, Tkalčić M, Vukić V, et al.Understanding emotions: Origins and roles of the amygdala.Biomolecules. 2021;11(6):823. doi:10.3390/biom11060823
Ningjian L.Cannon-bard theory of emotion. In:The ECPH Encyclopedia of Psychology. Springer Nature Singapore; 2024:1-2. doi:10.1007/978-981-99-6000-2_273-1
Stanojlovic O, Sutulovic N, Hrncic D, et al.Neural pathways underlying the interplay between emotional experience and behavior, from old theories to modern insight.Arch Biol Sci (Beogr). 2021;73(3):361-370.
Dror OE.Deconstructing the “two factors”: The historical origins of the Schachter–Singer theory of emotions.Emotion Review. 2016;9(1):7-16. doi:10.1177/1754073916639663
Schachter S, Singer J.Cognitive, social, and physiological determinants of emotional state.Psychol Rev.1962;69(5):379-399. doi:10.1037/h0046234
Moors A.Appraisal theory of emotion. In: Zeigler-Hill V, Shackelford TK, eds.Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer International Publishing; 2017:1-9. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_493-1
Lazarus RS, Folkman S.Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. Springer Publishing Company.
Marsh AA, Rhoads SA, Ryan RM.A multi-semester classroom demonstration yields evidence in support of the facial feedback effect.Emotion. 2019;19(8):1500-1504. doi:10.1037/emo0000532
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