James Lange

The James-Lange theory of emotion, proposed by psychologists William James and Carl Lange in the late 19th century, suggests that our emotional experiences result from our physiological reactions to events. In simpler terms, when we encounter a situation, our body responds first—such as increased heart rate or sweating—and then we interpret these physical changes as specific emotions. For example, we might feel fear because we notice our heart racing. This theory emphasizes that emotions are fundamentally tied to our bodily responses, contrasting with the idea that we feel emotions first and our body reacts afterward.