Final answer:
The arousal intensifying sexual passion after an argument exemplifies the spillover effect, where arousal from one event influences the response to another, highlighting the complexities of emotional arousal and perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is D. the spillover effect. This phenomenon relates to the idea that arousal from one event can spill over into our response to the next event. Schachter and Singer's research on emotional arousal demonstrates that the same physiological arousal can lead to different emotions depending on the individual's interpretation of the context. For example, arousal from an argument can be misattributed to sexual attraction if the context cues fit. This is supported by physiological theories of emotion such as the James-Lange theory, which posits that emotions arise from physiological arousal. This interplay between arousal levels and cognitive appraisal illustrates the complex nature of human emotions and motivation.