Theoretical Comparison 1: Theories of Emotions

            Our text relates the writings of an author who stated that most people would think that when you see something you fear, the realization of that fear leads to the physiological response of running or fighting it (Ashford & Lecroy, 2013, p. 121).  However, experts continue to argue this order of events.  Three theories that differ in perspective about the formation of emotional responses are the James-Lange theory of emotions, the Stanley Schachter two-factor theory, and the Zajonc primacy of affect in experiencing emotions (Ashford & Lecroy, 2013, p. 121).

            William James and Carl Lange both proposed independently that the order of events of emotion was the perception of the event, the physiological response to that event, and then the emotion followed.  Stanley Schachter disagreed with this view stating a two-factor approach of first the physiological response, then second, thinking about the reason for the physiological response, and then evaluating the response cognitively to form an emotional response.  Zajonc argued that emotion was an inherent response of both animals and humans and responses appeared together at the same time as the physiological response of the body, not based on any cognitive evaluation of the stimulus.  He stated that we could not avoid emotions (Ashford & Lecroy, 2013, p. 122).  Schachter refuted this in his letter in which he asserts that patients given adrenalin did not necessarily encounter an emotional response to the physiological response created by the adrenalin (Schachter & Singer, 1962).

            Social workers need to know how emotions and physiological responses affect our clients in various ways throughout their daily lives in order to understand their point of view.  For instance, a client who constantly perceives the physiological response of a pounding heart, sweaty hands, and tensing of the muscles as anxiety and fear will have a much harder time coping with everyday life than the client who perceives those physiological responses as excitement or a cue to slow down and be more careful.    

References

Ashford, J.B & Lecroy, C.W. (2010). Human behavior in the social environment: A multidimensional perspective. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.

Schachter, S. & Singer, J. (1962). Cognitive, social and physiological determinants of emotional state.  Psychology Review.  69: 379-99.