Emotions are an area of research that has fascinated scientists for centuries.
However, their complexity has made it difficult to define them and understand their operation, which has not prevented many researchers from seeking to progress in this line of knowledge.
The existence of several theories of emotion produced throughout the history of psychology as science it accounts for those efforts. Throughout this article we will know the most important ones.
The emotions They exert a great force on us and influence our thinking and our behavior, which is why they have great weight in the study of psychology. In recent years, different theories have emerged that try to explain the how and why of human emotions and, furthermore, in the world of psychology, Emotional intelligence has been gaining ground due to its benefits in people’s well-being and emotional development
Concepts such as emotional validation, emotional self-control or emotional management are increasingly familiar to us, and both in the organizational world and in sports, correct emotional management is closely related to performance.
Now… how can we understand what an emotion is? Emotions are usually defined as a complex affective state, a subjective reaction that occurs as a result of physiological or psychological changes that influence thinking and behavior. In psychology, they are associated with different phenomena, including temperament, personality, humor or motivation.
According to David G. Meyers, an emotion psychologist, human emotions involve “physiological arousal, expressive behavior, and conscious experience.”
The most important theories of emotion can be grouped into three categories: physiological, neurological and cognitive.
Physiological theories suggest that intrabody responses are responsible for emotions. Neurological theories propose that activity in the brain leads to emotional responses. And finally, cognitive theories argue that thoughts and other mental activities play an essential role in the formation of emotions.
But, What theories of emotion exist? Below we present the best-known theories of emotional psychology.
Evolutionary theory of emotion (Charles Darwin)
The evolutionary theory of emotion has its origins in the ideas of Charles Darwin, who claimed that emotions evolved because they were adaptive and allowed human beings to survive and reproduce For example, the emotion of fear forced people to fight or avoid danger.
Therefore, according to the evolutionary theory of emotion, our emotions exist because they help us survive. Emotions motivate people to respond quickly to a stimulus in the environment, which increases the chances of survival.
Additionally, understanding the emotions of other people or animals also plays a crucial role in safety and survival.
James-Lange theory of emotion
This is one of the best-known physiological theories of emotion. Proposed independently by William James and Carl Lange, This theory suggests that emotions occur as a consequence of physiological reactions to events
Furthermore, this emotional reaction is dependent on the way we interpret those physical reactions. For example, imagine you are walking through the woods and see a bear. You start to shake and your heart races. According to the James-Lange theory, you will interpret your physical reaction and conclude that you are scared: “I am shaking and therefore I am afraid.” So, this theory states that you are not shaking because you are scared, but you are scared because you are shaking.
Another well-known theory of emotion is the Cannon-Bard theory. Walter Cannon did not agree with the previous theory for different reasons. First, suggested that people experience the physiological reactions associated with emotions without feeling the emotion For example, your heart can race because you play sports, not necessarily because of fear. Furthermore, Cannon suggested that we feel emotions at the same time as physiological reactions. Cannon proposed this theory in the 1920s, but physiologist Philip Bard, during the 1930s, decided to expand this work.
Specifically, this theory suggests that emotions occur when the thalamus sends a message to the brain in response to a stimulus, causing a physiological reaction. At the same time, the brain also receives a message about the emotional experience. This happens simultaneously.
Schachter-Singer theory
This theory is part of the cognitive theories of emotion, and suggests that physiological activation occurs first The individual must then identify the reasons for this activation to experience the emotion label. A stimulus elicits a physiological response that is then cognitively interpreted and labeled, which becomes the emotional experience.
Schachter and Singer’s theory is inspired by the previous two. On the one hand, like the James-Lange theory, it proposes that people infer their emotions from physiological responses. Now, it differs from this due to the importance of the situation and the cognitive interpretation that individuals make to label emotions.
On the other hand, like the Cannon-Bard theory, it also maintains that similar physiological reactions cause a wide variety of emotions.
Cognitive evaluation theory
According to this theory, the thought must occur before the experience of the emotion Richard Lazarus pioneered this theory, which is why it is often called Lazarus’ theory of emotion. In summary, this theoretical artifact states that the sequence of events first involves a stimulus, followed by an emotion.
For example, if you are in a forest and you see a bear, you will first think that you are in danger. This causes the emotional experience of fear and the physiological reaction, which can end in flight.
Facial feedback theory of emotions
This theory states that facial expressions are connected to emotional experience Some time ago, both Charles Darwin and William James noted that physiological responses sometimes had a direct impact on emotions, rather than simply being a consequence of the emotion. According to the theorists of this theory, emotions are directly related to the changes produced in the facial muscles.
For example, people who have to force their smile in a certain social environment will have a better time than people who have a more neutral facial expression.
The relationship of emotions with well-being
In the last decade, the theory of emotional intelligence has begun to gain ground. This type of intelligence, which began to become popular thanks to Daniel Goleman has its origins in Professor Howard Gardner’s vision of intelligence, the theory of multiple intelligences.
There are numerous studies that affirm that emotional intelligence is key to people’s well-being, since self-knowledge, emotional regulation or empathy positively affect the psychological well-being of individuals, as well as personal relationships or work or sports development. .
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