Question 38

Marcie's experience best illustrates the James-Lange theory.

Marcie's experience demonstrates the James-Lange theory, which posits that emotions are a result of physiological responses to stimuli. In this case, her heart pounding is a physiological reaction to seeing the snake, and her identification of this physical response as fear aligns with the theory.

A) James-Lange

This option is correct because the James-Lange theory suggests that an emotional experience is the result of physiological reactions. Marcie's heart pounding serves as the physiological response that leads her to recognize and label her emotion as fear.

B) Cannon-Bard

The Cannon-Bard theory argues that physiological responses and emotional experiences occur simultaneously and independently. In Marcie's case, her heart's pounding reaction precedes her emotional identification, which does not align with this theory.

C) Schachter's two-factor

Schachter's two-factor theory posits that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of that arousal. While Marcie does interpret her pounding heart as fear, the primary focus of her experience is the physiological response leading to emotion, rather than the cognitive interpretation aspect emphasized by this theory.

D) Terror management

Terror management theory deals with how humans cope with the fear of death and the anxiety it creates. Marcie's experience does not involve existential concerns or anxiety related to mortality, making this option irrelevant to her immediate emotional response to the snake.

Conclusion

The James-Lange theory is definitively the correct answer as it directly correlates Marcie's physiological response to her emotional identification. Other theories either misrepresent the relationship between physical reactions and emotions or focus on aspects not present in Marcie's situation. Thus, her experience illustrates the core concept of the James-Lange theory effectively.