Best friends Hurley and Sayid are lost on a remote island in the south Pacific. While they are walking, they unexpectedly see a stranger coming toward them. Hurley believes the stranger is about to attack them. Sayid believes the stranger is about to greet them and welcome them to the island. As the stranger approaches, Hurley experiences fear, but Sayid experiences happiness. The friends' different emotional reactions can be explained by the ________ theory of emotion.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cognitive theory of emotion suggests that our emotions are based on our interpretation of events and the meaning we give to them, rather than just a physiological response. In this scenario, Hurley and Sayid's different emotions can be explained by their different interpretations of the stranger's approaching. Hurley interprets it as a potential threat, leading to fear, while Sayid interprets it as a potential friendly encounter, leading to happiness.

Best Friends Hurley and Sayid Are Lost on a Remote