Theoretical Approaches to Emotion

Theoretical approaches to emotion explore how and why we experience feelings. Basic theories include the James-Lang theory, which suggests emotions result from physical responses (e.g., your heart races and you feel fear). The Cannon-Bard theory proposes that emotions and bodily responses happen simultaneously. The Schachter-Singer theory emphasizes that emotion is influenced by both arousal and cognitive interpretation—how we label our feelings based on the situation. Overall, these approaches help us understand that emotions are complex processes involving physiological responses, thoughts, and contextual factors working together to shape our emotional experiences.