Question 1

The Cannon-Bard theory of emotions focuses on the ____ determinants of emotions.

Accepted Answer

The Cannon-Bard theory of emotions focuses on the neural determinants of emotions, emphasizing the role of the autonomic nervous system and the thalamus in generating emotional responses. This theory proposes that emotions and physical responses occur simultaneously, rather than sequentially, as suggested by the James-Lange theory.

Question 2

Imagine that your house is on fire and you are afraid.Which of the following explanations BEST represents the James-Lange theory?

Accepted Answer

The James-Lange theory posits that emotions occur as a result of physiological reactions to events. According to this theory, you would interpret your physiological reactions (such as shaking) as fear after you notice them happening. Thus, "I'm afraid because I'm shaking" best represents this theory.

Question 3

The theory of emotion that proposes that different patterns of autonomic activation lead to the experience of different emotions is the

Accepted Answer

The James-Lange theory proposes that physiological arousal precedes emotional experience and that different patterns of autonomic activation lead to the experience of different emotions. For example, feeling happy is a result of experiencing physiological changes such as smiling, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing.

Question 4

As Erica watched the televised drawing of lottery numbers, she realised she had the winning combination.If her heart starts to race at the same instant that she feels euphoria over winning the lottery, Erica's response pattern would lend support to

Accepted Answer

The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion posits that we experience physiological reactions and emotions simultaneously, not one causing the other. Erica's simultaneous experience of a racing heart (physiological response) and euphoria (emotion) upon realizing she won the lottery aligns with this theory.

Question 5

Victoria is extremely upset because she has been falsely accused of stealing money from her employer.Her lawyer has suggested that Victoria take a polygraph test to prove her innocence.She asks you whether she should agree to the test.Based on the research into the accuracy of polygraphs, you should tell Victoria that polygraphs

Accepted Answer

Polygraphs are not reliable indicators of whether or not people are lying. They measure physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweat gland activity, which can be impacted by a variety of factors, including anxiety, stress, and fear. Innocent people may exhibit high levels of arousal when answering certain questions, leading to a false indication of guilt. Therefore, there is no guarantee that Victoria will pass the test even if she is telling the truth.

Question 6

According to the James-Lange theory, one's conscious experience of emotion occurs

Accepted Answer

According to the James-Lange theory, the experience of emotion is the result of physiological arousal. In other words, we first experience the physical sensations associated with an emotion (e.g. increased heart rate, sweating) and then interpret these sensations as a particular emotion. Therefore, the conscious experience of emotion occurs after autonomic arousal.

Question 7

According to the James-Lange theory, the conscious experience of emotion ____ physiological arousal; according to the Cannon-Bard theory, the conscious experience of emotion ____ physiological arousal.

Accepted Answer

According to the James-Lange theory, physiological arousal comes first and our conscious experience of emotion (such as feeling sad or happy) comes afterward. In contrast, the Cannon-Bard theory proposes that physiological arousal and the experience of emotion happen at the same time. However, recent research suggests a more complex relationship between physiological arousal and emotional experience, and both theories may have some elements of truth to them.

Question 8

According to the James-Lange theory of emotions, one's conscious experience of emotion results from one's perception of

Accepted Answer

The James-Lange theory of emotions states that emotions are a result of physiological responses to stimuli, and that emotions are felt as a result of those reactions. This means that one's conscious experience of emotion is a result of their perception of their own bodily reactions, or autonomic arousal, such as increased heart rate, sweating, or other physical sensations, rather than their perception of others' emotions or facial tension.

Question 9

One problem with the James-Lange theory of emotions, and the Cannon-Bard theory of emotions, is that both fail to consider the role of

Accepted Answer

Both the James-Lange theory and the Cannon-Bard theory suggest that emotional experiences are solely the result of physiological changes or arousal, but they neglect the important role of the cognitive interpretation of those changes in determining an emotional response. It is now widely accepted that both physiological responses and cognitive interpretations interact to form emotional experiences.

Question 10

"General bodily arousal contributes to emotion, but one's interpretation of what is happening gives the specific emotion" is a proposition that would be made by

Accepted Answer

This proposition is known as the two-factor theory of emotions, which was developed by Stanley Schachter and Jerome Singer. The theory proposes that physiological arousal is necessary but not sufficient for the experience of emotion, and that the interpretation and labeling of the arousal is what gives rise to the specific emotion felt. Pavlov is known for his work on classical conditioning, James for his theory of emotion as a bodily response to a stimulus, and Cannon for his work on the fight or flight response.

Question 11

Cross-cultural differences in emotional experience are MOST prominent concerning how individuals from different cultures

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that individuals from different cultures may attribute different labels to the same emotional experiences. For example, some cultures may have many different words for emotions like anger or sadness, while others may have fewer. This suggests that the categorisation or labelling of specific emotions is influenced by cultural factors.

Question 12

The James-Lange theory of emotions focuses on the ____ determinants of emotions.

Accepted Answer

The James-Lange theory of emotions suggests that physiological arousal precedes the experience of emotions. Therefore, it focuses on the physiological determinants of emotions.

Question 13

Dylan is on a roller coaster that has just reached the top of the first climb and is starting to drop.Based on the James-Lange theory of emotions, Dylan should report

Accepted Answer

According to the James-Lange theory of emotions, physiological changes such as increased heart rate come before the experience of emotion. Therefore, Dylan would feel terrified because his heart is racing. Choice A is incorrect because it suggests that Dylan's evaluation of the situation is based on the reactions of others, rather than his own bodily changes. Choice C is incorrect because it suggests that Dylan's emotion causes his heart rate to increase, which is the opposite of the James-Lange theory. Choice D is incorrect because it suggests that Dylan's physiological response and emotional experience are separate phenomena, when the theory suggests they are intertwined.

Question 14

Schachter's two-factor theory of emotion suggests that we distinguish between the experience of different emotions on the basis of

Accepted Answer

Schachter's two-factor theory of emotion proposes that the experience of emotions involves both physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of the situation. Therefore, different emotions are distinguished on the basis of our interpretation of the situation rather than just the type of behavior, bodily pattern, or emotional expression of others.

Question 15

Imagine that an individual has taken medication that has lowered his or her overall level of autonomic arousal.If this person reports less intense emotional experiences, it would provide some support for

Accepted Answer

The James-Lange theory of emotion proposes that an individual's experience of emotion is the result of the physical sensations that accompany physiological arousal. Therefore, if an individual's level of autonomic arousal is lowered by medication, they may report less intense emotional experiences, which would support the James-Lange theory.

Question 16

According to the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion,

Accepted Answer

According to the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion, emotions occur when the thalamus sends signals simultaneously to the cortex (where our cognitive interpretation of the situation occurs) and to the autonomic nervous system (which produces our physiological response). This theory posits that emotions and physiological responses occur simultaneously and independently. It does not emphasize the specific patterns of autonomic activation or the adaptive value of emotions.

Question 17

Scott takes an antihistamine but he doesn't realise that the medication will also increase his overall level of autonomic arousal.Thirty minutes after he has taken the medication he is introduced to Danielle.If Scott incorrectly attributes his increased arousal as attraction for Danielle, it would lend support to

Accepted Answer

Schachter's two-factor theory of emotion proposes that physiological arousal is necessary for the experience of any emotion, but the label of the emotion is based on the cognitive interpretation of the situation. In this case, Scott's increased autonomic arousal due to the antihistamine is misattributed to his attraction to Danielle, showing the importance of cognitive interpretation in the experience of emotions.

Question 18

While Walter is out riding, his horse suddenly rears up when a small animal scurries across the path.Based on the Cannon-Bard theory of emotions, Walter should report

Accepted Answer

The Cannon-Bard theory of emotions suggests that physiological responses and emotional experiences occur simultaneously and independently. Therefore, Walter would report that the rearing of the horse caused his heart to race and also caused him to feel terrified. This interpretation aligns with option D, where Walter acknowledges the relationship between the physical response of his heart racing and his emotional experience of feeling terrified. The other options imply a causal relationship between the physiological response and the emotional experience or assume that the physiological response is an indicator of the emotional experience, which does not fit with the Cannon-Bard theory.

Question 19

Lee is about to take his driver's licence exam.As he enters the testing room he notices that he is feeling anxious.The physiological experience of his emotion reaction is MOST likely the result of the action of Lee's

Accepted Answer

The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary bodily functions, including the physiological responses associated with emotions such as anxiety. Therefore, Lee's anxious feelings are most likely the result of his autonomic nervous system responding to the stress of his driver's license exam.

Question 20

Imagine that your house is on fire and you are afraid.Which of the following explanations best represents Schachter's two-factor theory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Imagine that your house is on fire...

Quiz 10: Theories of Motives and Emotions