Final answer:
In the James-Lange theory of emotion, physiological responses precede emotional experiences, with the theory suggesting that these bodily reactions inform the subsequent feeling.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the James-Lange theory of emotion, physiological responses precede emotional experiences. This concept suggests that different physiological reactions trigger the recognition of different emotions. For instance, encountering a venomous snake would elicit a physiological response from your sympathetic nervous system, causing your heart to race and your breath to quicken. According to the James-Lange theory, you would interpret these bodily changes as fear, hence your emotional experience of fear follows the physiological arousal.
Other theories, such as the Cannon-Bard theory, propose that physiological responses and emotional experiences occur simultaneously but independently. However, the James-Lange theory posits a distinct sequence where the physiological arousal comes before the emotional response.