Question

PLEASE READ AND ANSWER COMPLETELY

Take a close look at how the theories of James-Lange and Schachter-Singer (the two-factor theory) are differentiated. Pay special attention to the role of physiological arousal, the Amygdala, and facial expressions in the experience of emotion.

Now here's a scenario: Suppose a woman is at a movie with a date and is asked in the middle of the movie to estimate her level of attraction to her date. According to the theories of James-Lange and Schachter and Singer (Two-factor theory), would her estimated level of attraction be different if they were at an extremely frightening movie than it would be if they were at a milder movie? For both theory, why or why not? (It should help you understand how these theories would predict different things if you carefully diagram the way the emotion would flow according to each.)

Answer 1

Yes, the level of attraction will be different for the women while watching extremely frightening movie than milder one.

According to JAMES LANGE THEORY:

We perceive the situation that produce emotion , then we react to situation, and then later we notice the reaction.

In the above situation, the women while watching frightening movie will have lesser attraction level as the situation she is currently placed leads to the flow of fear as she is perceiving the situation as frightening and her reaction will be more in the context of movie and lesser in date.

According to SCHACTER-SINGER THEORY:

Perception of environmental situation which result in emotion, then a generalised state of bodily arousal which is perceived, then interpretation of the reason for the arousal state and finally a felt emotion depending on the reason given.

In the same situation, women react lesser attraction towards the date while watching frightening movie as her perception of the environment is fearful which leads to the fast heart beat, palpitation. In her mind she interpret the reason of fear which is the movie currently watching and later she feel fearful and thus less attracted.