Schachter–Singer vs. James–Lange vs. Cannon–Bard
A hiker sees a bear, notices her heart pounding, and interprets the arousal as fear because the situation is dangerous. Which theory holds that emotion requires both physiological arousal and a cognitive label?
Answer A: explanation for every choice
Correct. The two-factor theory says emotion results from arousal plus a cognitive interpretation of the situation.
James–Lange says emotion results from perceiving the body's response ("I'm afraid because my heart is pounding"), with no cognitive labeling of context.
Cannon–Bard says arousal and the emotional experience happen at the same time and independently, via the thalamus.
Yerkes–Dodson describes the inverted-U relationship between arousal and performance. It is not a theory of emotion.
Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps19.