Data from the "swinging bridge" experiment, in which men appeared to have difficulty separating sexual arousal and fear, are most difficult to explain in terms of
A) the James-Lange theory.
B) the Cannon-Bard theory.
C) the Schachter-Singer theory.
D) all of the theories, which are equally unable to explain these data.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The James-Lange theory posits that physiological arousal precedes the emotional experience, suggesting that different emotions result from different physiological responses. However, the "swinging bridge" experiment, which showed men confusing fear with sexual arousal, challenges this theory because it suggests that similar physiological responses (like increased heart rate) can lead to different emotional experiences, depending on the context. This is more difficult to reconcile with the James-Lange theory than with the Cannon-Bard or Schachter-Singer theories, which do not rely as heavily on the idea of distinct physiological patterns for each emotion.

Data from the "Swinging Bridge" Experiment, in Which Men Appeared