You and your girlfriend are discussing the experience of an emotion. You argue that certain external stimuli will instinctively trigger specific patterns of arousal and action that you know as a specific emotion. Your girlfriend argues that emotions do not differ greatly in their physiological arousal and that how you label the emotion you are experiencing will depend upon your assessment of the arousal. You are presenting the argument of the ____________ while your girlfriend is arguing the ___________.
A)Cannon-Bard theory; Cognitive Appraisal theory
B)James-Lange theory; Cannon-Bard theory
C)James-Lange theory; Cognitive Appraisal theory
D)Theory of Cognitive Appraisal; Cannon-Bard theory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The argument that external stimuli instinctively trigger specific patterns of physiological arousal and action that are labeled with a specific emotion is consistent with the James-Lange theory of emotion. On the other hand, arguing that the labeling of an emotion depends on an assessment of the arousal is consistent with the Cognitive Appraisal theory. Therefore, the argument presented by the individual in the question is aligned with the James-Lange theory, and the argument presented by the girlfriend is aligned with the Cognitive Appraisal theory.

You and Your Girlfriend Are Discussing the Experience of an Emotion