James Lang Theory

Reflection for 13th April, 2009

What causes emotions? Do emotions affect the physical/physiological state of the knower? Does a change in emotion only occur when someone perceives something through his senses? .... These were just some of the questions that had arisen in my mind in today's class, when i was introduced to the topic of emotion. I then came to know that something called the James Lang Theory existed........

This theory proposes that emotions occur as a result of physiological reactions to events. According to the theory, you see an external stimulus that leads to a physiological reaction. Your emotional reaction is caused by those physical reactions.

This, at first seemed to be vague. I had always thought that emotions were the cause of the physiological changes - for example sorrow would lead to crying and joy would lead to smiling. Was this theory was suggesting that crying was the cause of sorrow and smiling causes happiness?



Then i realized that this theory must be more valid to internal or involuntary physiological reactions to external stimuli, which could possibly cause emotions. Symptoms like muscular tension, a rise in heart rate, perspiration, and dryness of the mouth could cause certain emotions, dependind on the circumstance. However, the validity of this theory is still doubted..... and many new theories have replaced it which contradict the claim that emotions are caused by physical changes.