AP Psychology : Theories of Emotion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Motivation And Emotion

According to the evolutionary theory of emotion, why were emotions developed?

Possible Answers:

To teach organisms how to maladaptively cope with stressors.

To engage in prosocial relationships with peers.

To create a replicable language.

To avoid danger and facilitate survival, in order allow for reproduction.

To allow the organism to find food.

Correct answer:

To avoid danger and facilitate survival, in order allow for reproduction.

Explanation:

The evolutionary theory of emotion believes that emotions developed in order to help facilitate human survival, in order to allow for reproduction. An evolutionary theory looks at emotions in the context of an evolutionary framework.

Example Question #12 : Theories Of Emotion

Which of the following supports the idea that emotion is mediated by physical symptoms?

Possible Answers:

People who hold a pencil between their teeth begin to feel happier from activation of the "smiling" muscles.

People can think of sadness and feel sad.

Books can make people feel strong emotions.

Physical workouts are related to quality of sleep.

Correct answer:

People who hold a pencil between their teeth begin to feel happier from activation of the "smiling" muscles.

Explanation:

The physical muscles of the face are connected to perception of emotion, and placing one's face into a "smile" by biting a pencil can lead people to perceive happiness. The key to this question was understanding the terminology used in the question. In this case, the "physical symptoms" are actually positive, they are the muscles of the face being stimulated into the shape of a smile.

Example Question #32 : Motivation And Emotion

The James-Lange Theory of emotion posits that __________.

Possible Answers:

bodily changes cause emotion

people only have two basic emotions.

emotions occur before physical changes.

physical changes and emotions go hand in hand.

Correct answer:

bodily changes cause emotion

Explanation:

The James-Lange Theory is based on the idea that physical changes elicit emotion. William James and Carl Lange developed the theory independently, but formulated a cohesive theory. The James-Lange Theory, in its initial formation, held that if physical sensation were completely removed emotional response would also be removed. Modern theorists have since revised the theory to soften this stance, and hold rather that physical sensation significantly affects emotional response, but the relationship is not total. Support for this comes from studies of spinal cord injuries in which emotions are experienced less intensely.

Example Question #14 : Theories Of Emotion

According to the Schachter's Two-Factor Theory, emotional response consists of __________ and ___________

Possible Answers:

physiological arousal . . . physiological resolution

cognitive mapping . . . physiological arousal

physiological arousal . . . cognitive label

cognitive arousal . . . physiological markers

Correct answer:

physiological arousal . . . cognitive label

Explanation:

In Schachter's Two-Factor Theory of emotion, the two factors are physiological arousal and cognitive label. First a person will experience a physiological sensation, and will then try to place a label on the context surrounding this response, in an effort to explain it. According to Schachter both factors are needed, and are mutually reinforcing. 

Example Question #13 : Theories Of Emotion

What is the two-factor theory of emotion?

Possible Answers:

The theory that emotion can arise from either external relationships with other people or our relationship with ourselves

None of these answers is accurate

The theory that emotions are a product of two factors: needs that are met, and needs that are unmet

The theory that in order for one to experience emotion, one must be physically aroused in some manner and be able to label that arousal

The theory that in order for one to experience emotion, one must be intellectually stimulated in some manner and experience discomfort as a result

Correct answer:

The theory that in order for one to experience emotion, one must be physically aroused in some manner and be able to label that arousal

Explanation:

Schacter-Singer's two-factor theory of emotion poses that in order for an emotion to be considered as such, a person must experience physical arousal and be able to cognitively recognize and label this.

Example Question #41 : Motivation And Emotion

According to Schacter and Singer, what is the essential component of emotion?

Possible Answers:

Physiological arousal in the gut

Damaged relationships

Cognitive labeling

Physical stimulation

Unmet needs

Correct answer:

Cognitive labeling

Explanation:

According to Schacter and Singer, an essential component of the way we experience emotion is the labeling of physical sensations and feelings. The way we label emotions influence how we are able to cope with them and, depending on the label, it may even prolong the emotion.

Example Question #41 : Motivation And Emotion

Which of the following terms or concepts is not associated with emotional display rules?

Possible Answers:

Masking

Exaggerating

Neutralizing

Intensification

Different cultures have different display rules.

Correct answer:

Exaggerating

Explanation:

"Display rules" are norms for the expression of emotion that differ from culture to culture. Examples of display rules include neutralizing (feeling an emotion but showing no emotion), masking (feeling an emotion but showing a different emotion), and intensification (feeling an emotion but showing it more intensely than it is felt). Exaggerating is not a key term associated with display rules.

Example Question #14 : Theories Of Emotion

Which of the following is true about appraisal theory in terms of emotion?

Possible Answers:

Appraisal affects the emotions we feel

All of the other answers are correct.

Reappraisal is an effective way of changing the emotional landscape

Appraisal relates to cognitive processes

Appraisal involves explaining how or why an event happened the way it did

Correct answer:

All of the other answers are correct.

Explanation:

Appraisal is how we interpret events, which affects and even determines the emotions that we feel about those events. Appraisal is a cognitive process and involves explaining and evaluating how and why an event occurred the way it did. Reappraisal involves reevaluating and re-explaining the meaning of an event and it is an effective way to change the emotions associated with the event. 

Example Question #15 : Theories Of Emotion

A man sees a bear. According to the James-Lange theory, which of the following best explains how his emotional response will occur?

Possible Answers:

He will go into fight-or-flight without any emotional response

First, he will experience physiological reactions including an increased heart rate and sweating and then his brain will identify his reactions as a fearful one, and the man will feel the emotional response of fear

First, he experience a emotional reaction of fear and then he experiences a physiological reaction including increased heart rate and sweating

The man's physiological response and experience of emotional fear occur at the same time independently of each other

The emotional response depends on the person (i.e. some will experience emotion first and others will experience a physiological response first)

Correct answer:

First, he will experience physiological reactions including an increased heart rate and sweating and then his brain will identify his reactions as a fearful one, and the man will feel the emotional response of fear

Explanation:

The James-Lange theory of emotion states that an event causes physical arousal in the body. The brain interprets this arousal. Afterwards, based on the specific reactions, the brain identifies the arousal as a certain emotion (i.e. fear, happiness, sadness, or anger). In this case, the correct answer follows this theory because it states that the physiological reaction will occur first and then the brain will alert the man indicating he is experiencing fear.

Example Question #11 : Theories Of Emotion

Which emotional psychologist is responsible for the idea that the brain cannot just rely on bodily responses to understand what emotions individuals are experiencing?

Possible Answers:

Cannon-Bard

Singer

Lange

James

Schachter

Correct answer:

Cannon-Bard

Explanation:

The Cannon-Bard theory states that the brain cannot rely on bodily responses to know which emotions it is experiencing. This is supported by the observation that a racing heart can indicate excitement, fear, or anger. 

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