What we know about emotion and how it is produced is very limited. There is quite a complexity to acknowledge before trying to define emotion because different theorists define emotion differently. For example, some believe emotion to be a purely physiological change to a stimulus (increased heartbeat) yet some believe emotions are the feelings we get when interpret a stimulus. Emotion is difficult to define, making it especially difficult to determine the extent as to which biological and cognitive factors interact to produce it. In some older theories where emotion is defined as purely a physiological change are James-Lange and Cannon-Bard.
These theories claim there is a limited interaction between cognitive and biological factors. However, when emotion is defined as the interpretation of a stimulus in creating a feeling such as in Lazaurus’ appraisal theory there is a high interaction shown between cognitive and biological factors in the creation of emotion. So, the degree of interaction has changed over time. Newer studies argue that the extent is much higher than theories had originally suggested. We know both biological and cognitive factors play a role in emotion but it is difficult to determine the interaction due to the complexity of defining emotion.
Early theories of emotion argue that cognitive and biological factors interact to a limited extent. This is because emotion is being defined as a physiological change (i. e. blood pressure rising or increased heartbeat). James Lange theory from the 1880’s says that physiological responses cause specific emotional feelings and that physiological arousal is necessary and sufficient for emotions to occur. This means that James Lange believes that only biological factors are needed to produce emotion. However his theory cannot explain emotion without any arousal and it does not even recognize the roles of learning and cognition.
Cannon-Bard (1927) was another early theory claiming the extent to which cognitive and biological factors interact is very low. However Cannon-Bard believed that cognition was the important factor. He stated that emotional feeling and the physiological changes occur separately but simultaneously and that physiological arousal is neither necessary nor sufficient for emotion to occur. However, cognitive labeling theory may better explain the role of arousal. While the theories disagree, both have many criticisms and have been acknowledged as quite out dated.
Newer theories of emotion argue that cognitive and biological factors interact to a large extent in emotion. For example Lazarus’ appraisal theory in 1982 that claims cognitive appraisals are always of fundamental importance in emotion. Lazarus suggests that appraisal happens in stages, primary appraisal and secondary appraisal. Primary appraisal is nearly immediate; it is when people ask themselves if the stimulus is relevant to their goals and if it is favorable or not favorable to their goals. Positive appraisal of a potential benefit leads to positive emotion and negative appraisal of a threat or loss leads to negative emotion.
If the person finds the stimulus relevant, it will be taken to secondary appraisal. Secondary appraisal is more of a conscious evaluation of the stimulus. During secondary appraisal resolution to the problem is often sought out. This then creates an emotion, for example, if the stimulus is favorable to your goal and you are responsible for it (i. e. getting a job) you likely experience a feeling of pride or happiness. But if the stimulus is not favorable to your goals and there is no way to resolve the situation you may feel anxious or sad.
This would mean that through appraisal cognitive and biological factors interact to a large extent in the creation of emotion. Many psychologists believe that with Lazarus’ Appraisal Theory emotions can be predicted based on what type of appraisal takes place. One study conducted to investigate if emotional reactions to events can be manipulated was the Speisman Et al study in 1964. Speisman’s subjects were shown a particularly gruesome and anxiety-evoking film (these included graphic scenes of stone age rite of passage for teenage boys).
Participants were divided into four groups: Control (no soundtrack), trauma condition, denial condition, and intellectualization condition. Heart rate and Galvanic skin response were monitored. The results showed that participants who were exposed to the trauma condition reacted more emotionally than the other conditions. It also concluded that appraisal does have an effect of the emotional arousal of people supporting Lazarus’ theory. Meaning it suggests cognitive and biological factors interact to a large extent in creating emotion.
While the results are not subjective; as they are quantitative measurements tested using medical equipment, thus eliminating experimenter bias, “appraisal” is rather broad and vague, making it difficult to find a clear cause and effect relationship between it and emotion. The interaction between cognitive and biological factors in emotion has changed over time and there are theories that arguing one extreme while others suggests the opposite. This means the extent to which cognitive and biological factors interact in emotion varies largely.
