Erik and Lana have each had a lot of coffee, which is a known stimulant and increases heart rate. Erik notices his heart rate is high while he is working on a crossword puzzle, and thinks to himself that he shouldn't drink so much coffee. Lana notices that her heart is racing when she is studying for an exam and she starts feeling very worried about how she will perform on the exam. Which theory helps to explain why Erik and Lana have different emotional experiences.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The two-factor theory, also known as the Schachter-Singer theory, explains that emotion is based on two factors: physiological arousal and cognitive labeling of that arousal. Erik and Lana experienced the same physiological arousal (increased heart rate due to coffee) but labeled it differently based on their situations, leading to different emotional experiences.

Erik and Lana Have Each Had a Lot of Coffee