Two Factor Theory Of Emotion Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Two Factor Theory Of Emotion?

The Two Factor Theory of Emotion is a psychological theory proposed by Stanley Schachter and Jerome E. Singer in 1962 that suggests that emotion is based on two factors: physiological arousal and cognitive labeling. According to this theory, the experience of an emotion is determined by both physiological arousal and the individual’s interpretation or label of that arousal. In other words, it is not enough for an individual to simply experience physiological arousal; for them to actually experience an emotion, they must also interpret or label their arousal in some way. The first factor of the Two Factor Theory proposes that all emotions are accompanied by some degree of physiological arousal. This refers to physical changes such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, sweating, trembling and other bodily reactions associated with feeling something strongly. The second factor involves cognitive processing; this means interpreting what one’s body is experiencing and assigning it a label such as fear or anger so as to identify what one is feeling at any given moment. Although this theory has been widely accepted among psychologists, it has also been criticized on a number of grounds including its lack of empirical evidence and its reliance on subjective labels rather than objective criteria for determining emotions. Nevertheless, the Two Factor Theory remains an important part of our understanding about how we experience emotion today. It provides us with a better insight into why we sometimes mislabel our own emotions or misinterpret others’ emotions based on how we are feeling physically in any given moment. By recognizing the importance of both physiological arousal and cognitive labeling in our emotional lives, we can take steps towards better managing our emotional states more effectively both now and in the future.