Question 1

Roberto tells Azzy that he's felt guilty about lying to his parents about a recent speeding ticket. Azzy suggests that Roberto is experiencing that emotion because he has attached a category label (guilt)to his unpleasant feelings. He believes this kind of labeling comes from our cultural training. Azzy's theory seems to be in agreement with __________ of emotion.

Accepted Answer

The conceptual act model suggests that emotions are constructed based on cultural and personal experiences, which aligns with Azzy's idea that labeling emotions like guilt comes from cultural training.

Question 2

Isabella was injured when her automatic pencil sharpener malfunctioned and a pencil pierced her skull and destroyed her thalamus. Now Isabella can no longer experience emotion. This situation supports __________ theory of emotion.

Accepted Answer

Cannon's central theory of emotion suggests that the thalamus plays a central role in experiencing emotions. Since Isabella's thalamus was destroyed and she can no longer experience emotion, this supports Cannon's theory.

Question 3

J. T. is taking a lie detector test as part of an ongoing investigation into a recent bank robbery. The investigators hope that the polygraph will reveal any dishonesty because different patterns of physiological activity are associated with different emotions, such as guilt. The investigators most likely ascribe to __________ theory of emotion.

Accepted Answer

James's peripheral theory of emotion suggests that physiological responses occur first and are then interpreted as different emotions. In the context of a lie detector test, the idea is that lying would produce specific physiological responses (such as increased heart rate or sweating) that could then be interpreted as signs of guilt or dishonesty.

Question 4

Shortly after finishing his fifteen-mile run, Georgio sees a handsome man waiting at the bus stop. Georgio feels attracted to this man and introduces himself. They agree to meet later for lunch. During lunch, however, Georgio decides that the man is not nearly as attractive or interesting as he originally thought. What was most likely occurring when Georgio first met the "handsome" stranger?

Accepted Answer

Excitation transfer is likely occurring, where the physical arousal from the run was misattributed to attraction towards the man.

Question 5

The main difference between James's peripheral theory and Cannon's central theory of emotion is that

Accepted Answer

Cannon's central theory proposes that the brain directly creates the experience of emotion, while James's peripheral theory emphasizes the role of physiological responses in generating emotions. The thalamus is involved in both theories, but the crucial difference is whether the brain or the body is seen as the primary source of emotional experience. Choice A is incorrect because transfer of excitation is a concept associated with James's theory, not Cannon's. Choice B is partially true but not the most distinguishing aspect of the two theories. Choice D is also true but does not capture the fundamental contrast between central and peripheral theories.

Question 6

In class, both Ned and Allen are called out by the teacher for their performance on the science exam. In Ned's culture, it is considered a reward to be individually recognized in a group, so he is happy. In Allen's culture, it is considered a dishonor to the group for him to be singled out, so he feels shame. The theory of emotion that best accounts for these different experiences is

Accepted Answer

The conceptual acts model suggests that emotions are shaped by cultural rules and situations, so Ned and Allen's different emotional reactions can be attributed to their respective cultural backgrounds. The opponent-process theory, Cannon's central theory, and Maslow's hierarchy do not adequately explain the influence of cultural norms on emotional experiences.

Question 7

Sherman is going to give Luella some flowers. He really wants her to like them. According to the principle of excitation transfer, when would be the best time for Sherman to give her the flowers?

Accepted Answer

The principle of excitation transfer suggests that arousal from one event can enhance the emotional response to another event. After jogging, Luella's physiological arousal is heightened, which could enhance her positive reaction to receiving flowers.

Question 8

As a member of the Peace Corps, David was given special training in the customs of the third-world country to which he was going. Nevertheless, David probably needed little training to correctly interpret his hosts' display of happiness, surprise, and sadness as revealed by their

Accepted Answer

Facial expressions for basic emotions like happiness, surprise, and sadness are universally recognized across different cultures, requiring little special training to interpret.

Question 9

Levi drinks three cups of coffee. Then, as he walks to his first job interview, he feels his heart racing. Levi believes this is due to the caffeine in the coffee and stays relatively calm as he begins the interview. Levi's lack of nervousness can be explained best by __________ theory of emotion.

Accepted Answer

The Schachter-Singer theory of emotion suggests that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling. Levi attributes his racing heart to caffeine, not nervousness, which helps him stay calm.

Question 10

Ginger has a wonderful job but decides to interview for a position at another company so she can practice her interviewing skills. Ginger is not nervous during this interview because she does not believe her well-being is affected by the outcome. Her emotional experience is best explained by __________ theory.

Accepted Answer

Lazarus's cognitive appraisal theory explains that emotions are determined by an individual's appraisal of a situation and its relevance to their well-being. Since Ginger does not believe the interview outcome affects her well-being, she remains calm.

Question 11

Janessa smiled in real pleasure when her baby reached for her. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A Duchenne smile is a genuine smile that involves the muscles around the eyes, indicating true pleasure or happiness, which is what Janessa experienced.

Question 12

Viktor has just been rudely pushed by a stranger. Consistent with Schachter-Singer's cognitive labeling theory, Viktor should be most angered by the stranger if he had recently finished

Accepted Answer

According to Schachter-Singer's cognitive labeling theory, emotions are based on physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. After running, Viktor would have heightened physiological arousal, which he might cognitively label as anger if he perceives the stranger's push as a provocation.

Question 13

The crew of the starship became addicted to a type of video game because the pleasure center in their brains was stimulated each time they scored. They eventually played the game nearly constantly and experienced a pleasurable emotion without having to interpret a physiological reaction or think about the situational cause of their emotion. This is most supportive of which theory of emotion?

Accepted Answer

Cannon's central theory suggests that emotions can be experienced directly through brain processes without the need for physiological arousal or cognitive interpretation, aligning with the scenario described.

Question 14

Chicken Little was afraid the sky was falling, so he warned everyone about it. Henny Penny explained that Chicken Little's emotional experience (fear)was a result of him thinking that an event (the sky falling)would negatively affect his well-being. Henny Penny most likely agrees with __________ theory of emotion.

Accepted Answer

Henny Penny's explanation aligns with Lazarus's cognitive appraisal theory, which suggests that emotions result from an individual's appraisal or interpretation of a situation and its impact on their well-being.

Question 15

In the movie Speed , the two main characters go through two hours of life-threatening action-packed challenges. At the end, they are about to kiss, when the female says, "relationships that start under intense circumstances never last." She seems to be referring to the fact that they are misinterpreting their physiological arousal as passion and attraction. Which theory supports her assessment of the situation?

Accepted Answer

The Schachter-Singer theory, also known as the two-factor theory of emotion, suggests that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The female character's statement reflects this theory, as she implies that their feelings might be a misinterpretation of arousal due to the intense situation.

Question 16

Which theorist is credited with proposing the same concepts as those found in Cannon's Central theory of emotions?

Accepted Answer

Philip Bard is credited with proposing the same concepts as those found in Cannon's Central theory of emotions, leading to the Cannon-Bard theory.

Question 17

Ten-year-old Sasha began crying uncontrollably while watching Old Yeller , a movie in which a brave dog saves his master but is killed by the bad guys. Her mother tells Sasha, "It's all pretend! Don't worry. Yeller is alive and living in Hollywood, California!" After her mom explains, Sasha feels much better and stops crying. This difference in Sasha's emotional reaction can best be explained by

Accepted Answer

Sasha's change in emotional reaction is due to a change in her interpretation of the situation. Once she understands that the events in the movie are not real, her emotional response changes accordingly.

Question 18

Before coming to his final exam, Howie drank four cans of Surge (which contains a lot of caffeine). As the final was being passed out, Howie became aware that his hands were shaking and his heart was beating fast. According to __________ theory, whether Howie attributed his shaking hands and beating heart to ingesting a lot of caffeine or to being concerned about the final would affect his emotional experience.

Accepted Answer

The Schachter-Singer theory, also known as the two-factor theory of emotion, suggests that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling of that arousal. Howie's interpretation of his physiological symptoms would influence his emotional experience.

Question 19

The addition to James's peripheral theory that the Schachter-Singer theory provides is

Accepted Answer

The Schachter-Singer theory adds the concept that cognitive interpretation of bodily responses is necessary to experience emotion, unlike James's theory which focuses solely on physiological responses.

Question 20

Grandma got run over by an SUV. Afterward, she could no longer receive signals from her sympathetic nervous system about physiological arousal. Her doctor tells her that she can still experience emotions because emotion occurs solely in the brain. Grandma's doctor supports which theory of emotion?

Accepted Answer

Cannon's central theory posits that emotions occur in the brain and are not dependent on physiological arousal, aligning with the doctor's explanation.

Quiz 8: Motivation and Emotion