Question

Hannah enjoys playing video games because every time she scores a point, processing in her brain simultaneously causes an excited emotion and an increase in her heart rate. The theory that has been proposed to explain emotion in the way Hannah experienced it is the theory. a. Cannon-Bard b. Grison-Gazzaniga c. James-Lange d. two-factor

Short answer

The correct answer is a. Cannon-Bard Theory, as it posits that emotions and physiological reactions occur simultaneously and independently, which aligns with Hannah's experience.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the emotion theories

First, let us get familiar with the emotion theories mentioned in the given options. Here's a brief description of each theory: a. Cannon-Bard Theory: This theory posits that emotions and physiological reactions occur simultaneously and independently of one another. b. Grison-Gazzaniga Theory: This theory is not a known emotion theory and can be disregarded. c. James-Lange Theory: According to this theory, physiological reactions happen first, and the emotions we feel are based on those physiological reactions. d. Two-Factor Theory (also called Schachter-Singer Theory): This theory states that emotions are experienced based on a combination of physiological arousal and a cognitive interpretation of that arousal.

Analyze Hannah's situation

In the given scenario, Hannah experiences both an excited emotion and an increase in heart rate simultaneously whenever she scores a point in a video game. This means that both her emotional response and physiological reaction occur at the same time.

Identify the correct theory

Based on Hannah's experience, the emotion theory that best describes her situation is the one that posits that emotions and physiological reactions occur simultaneously and independently. Among the given options, this is represented by: a. Cannon-Bard Theory So, the correct answer is a. Cannon-Bard Theory.

Key concepts

Cannon-Bard Theory

Understanding the intricacies of the Cannon-Bard Theory can shed light on why we experience emotions the way we do. According to this theory, emotions and physiological reactions—such as an increase in heart rate—happen at the same time but independently of each other.

This means that when Hannah scores in her video game, her excitement and increased heart rate don’t cause one another; they occur simultaneously. This theory contrasts with others that suggest a linear relationship between physical reactions and emotional experiences, emphasizing the brain's role in interpreting emotions. The Cannon-Bard Theory posits that the thalamus, a structure in the brain, receives sensory information and relays it to both the cortex (responsible for conscious thought) and the sympathetic nervous system—which triggers the physiological response—creating a parallel process of emotional and physical reaction.

James-Lange Theory

The James-Lange Theory takes a different approach to understanding emotions. It argues that our emotions are a result of our physiological reactions. In other words, we don’t tremble because we are afraid; rather, we feel fear because we tremble.

If Hannah were to experience emotions as per this theory, she would first notice her heart rate goes up when she scores a point, and from this bodily change, she would then feel excitement. The James-Lange Theory prioritizes the body’s response over the brain's role in experiencing emotion. This places a greater emphasis on the awareness of bodily changes as the key determinant of an emotional experience. Critics of this theory often point out that different emotions can produce similar physiological responses, which can make it difficult to discern which emotion is being felt based solely on physical reactions.

Two-Factor Theory

The Two-Factor Theory, also known as the Schachter-Singer Theory, proposes a more complex interaction between our physiological states and cognitive processes when it comes to emotions. According to this theory, the emotion we feel depends on two factors: the physiological arousal and the cognitive interpretation of that arousal.

Let's apply this to Hannah's situation. When she scores a point, her heart rate increases—a physiological response. The Two-Factor Theory suggests Hannah would then cognitively assess the context of her increased heart rate to conclude that she is feeling excited. This cognitive label, combined with her bodily state, results in the experience of excitement. This theory highlights the importance of both physiological arousal and our understanding or explanation of that arousal in shaping our emotional experiences. This is why, for example, the same increase in heart rate can lead to different emotions like excitement or anxiety, depending on how we interpret the context of the situation.