The James-Lange Theory is a psychological theory of emotion that postulates that emotions arise as a result of physiological reactions to external stimuli. This theory was first proposed by William James and Carl Lange in the late 19th century, and it has since been developed and modified by numerous psychologists. The theory posits that the physiological response to a stimulus is experienced as the emotion, rather than the emotion leading to the physiological response. This theory has been influential in the study of emotion, and it remains an important topic of research in the field.
Definition
The James-Lange Theory of emotion is a psychophysiological theory which proposes that physiological changes in response to external stimuli result in the experience of emotion. This theory states that the physical response to a stimulus is the emotion, rather than the emotion causing the physiological response. This differs from other theories, such as the Cannon-Bard Theory, which propose that the emotional response is separate from the physiological response.
History
The James-Lange Theory of emotion was first proposed in the late 19th century by William James and Carl Lange. James was an American philosopher and psychologist, and Lange was a Danish physician. Both scholars were interested in the relationship between emotion and physiological responses, and they hypothesized that emotions were the result of these responses. They argued that the experience of emotion preceded the physiological changes, rather than the other way around.
Since the initial proposal of the James-Lange Theory, it has been developed and modified by numerous psychologists. In the early 20th century, Walter Cannon and Philip Bard proposed the Cannon-Bard Theory, which argued that the physiological and emotional responses to a stimulus are simultaneous. This theory was in direct opposition to the James-Lange Theory, and it sparked much debate in the psychological community.
Characteristics
The James-Lange Theory of emotion posits that physical reactions to external stimuli result in the experience of emotion. This theory states that the physiological response is experienced as the emotion, rather than the emotion causing the physiological response. This theory has been influential in the study of emotion, and it has been used to explain a variety of psychological phenomena.
The James-Lange Theory has been used to explain the physiological basis of emotions, as well as the psychological experience of emotions. This theory has also been used to explain the relationship between emotion and behavior, and it has been used to explain certain patterns of behavior.
Further Reading
Fridlund, A. J. (1994). Human facial expression: An evolutionary view. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Gross, J. J. (1998). The emerging field of emotion regulation: An integrative review. Review of General Psychology, 2(3), 271-299. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.2.3.271
Keltner, D., & Gross, J. J. (1999). Functional accounts of emotion. In T. J. Mayne & G. A. Bonanno (Eds.), Emotions: Current issues and future directions (pp. 115-143). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Lazarus, R. S. (1991). Progress on a cognitive-motivational-relational theory of emotion. American Psychologist, 46(8), 819-834. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.46.8.819