Question

Melinda believes that our emotions are our interpretations of an event. She believes that people experience the same feeling in their bodies when giving a speech, such as increased heart rate. However, some people interpret this as excitement while others interpret this as fear. Melinda believes in which theory on emotion?

O James-Lange theory
O Cannon-Bard theory
O Two-factor theory
O Jean Piaget theory

Answer 1

Melinda believes in the Two-factor theory of emotion, which suggests that emotions are composed of both physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation that occur together.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Two-factor theory on emotion:

Based on the information provided, Melinda believes in the Two-factor theory on emotion. This theory, also known as the Schachter-Singer theory, posits that emotions are the result of physiological arousal which is then given a cognitive label based on the context of the situation. Therefore, the same physiological responses can be interpreted differently depending on how one cognitively appraises the situation, leading to different emotional experiences. As an example, given the same increased heart rate when giving a speech, one person might label this arousal as excitement, while another might interpret it as fear.

This demonstrates how cognitive interpretation plays a crucial role in the experience of emotions, beyond just the physiological changes that occur. According to this theory, when we experience an event, our body first responds with physiological arousal, such as increased heart rate. Then, we interpret this arousal as a specific emotion based on our understanding and appraisal of the situation.