Question

What is the difference between the Schachter-Singer theory of emotion vs James-Lange theory of emotion? What is the difference between the words interpreting (james) vs labeling (singer) of a physiological response?

Answer 1

The James Lange theory of emotion says that emotion takes place in response to the physiological response to environmental stimuli. The sequence is as follows- there is a stimulus (let's say a canine), individual encounters it and started having sweating and trembling (the bodily responses that has taken place after seeing the stimuli). The individual then interprets (attach meaning to the physiological response) that he/she is fearful (I am fearful because I am trembling) and following the interpretation, he/she feels the emotion (becomes fearful). Thus attaching meaning to the physiological response (interpretation) is very important in James Lange theory in order to experience the emotion.

Schachter-Singer theory of emotion also known as Two-factor theory which talks about the interaction of physical and cognitive labels in order to experience the emotion. The sequence is as follows as per Schachter-SInger theory- individual encounters a stimulus (some noise deep into the bushes) which might lead to heart-pounding and trembling but the physical responses would be labelled only after the careful observation of the surrounding the person is in currently (the interaction between physiological response and cognition) and depending on the associated factors the responses would then be "labelled" (naming the responses as it is, unlike interpretation where we tend to attach meaning to the experience) either in terms of "fearful" so that the individual might feel scared with the noise or "curious" so to wanna know what's there. If the incident is taking place at night, with nobody around, the person might label the physiological response as being "fearful" (because of the environmental demand) but if the incident is taking place in a crowded park the person would be more "curious" to know what is the noise all about even if the physiological responses are same.

Thus even though both the theories might appear similar at first glance its the relative importance of physiology and cognition they have stretched upon. While both the theories have acknowledged the role of physiological responses, the two-factor theory has further added an extra layer with the environmental focus. we can't be aware of the environment unless we selectively focus on the external clues and process it cognitively, and associate the cognitive labels with the physiological response, this theory is called the cognitive theory of emotion. This two-factor theory is among the other cognitive theories of emotion which focus on both physiology and cognition in the development of emotion.