Question 60

Marcie's experience illustrates the James-Lange theory.

Marcie's reaction to seeing a snake demonstrates the James-Lange theory of emotion, which posits that physiological responses precede emotional experience. Her heart pounding is a physical reaction that she interprets as fear.

A) James-Lange

This option is correct because the James-Lange theory asserts that emotions are the result of physiological responses to stimuli. In Marcie's case, her heart pounding occurs in response to the snake, leading her to identify her emotional state as fear.

B) Cannon-Bard

The Cannon-Bard theory suggests that physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously and independently. In this scenario, Marcie's experience does not align with this theory, as her emotional identification of fear follows her physiological response, indicating a sequential process rather than simultaneous.

C) Schachter's two-factor

Schachter's two-factor theory emphasizes the role of cognitive appraisal in experiencing emotions, requiring both physiological arousal and a cognitive label. While Marcie labels her feeling as fear, her initial response focuses on the physiological aspect, which does not fully encompass the cognitive component emphasized in this theory.

D) Terror management

Terror management theory relates to how individuals cope with existential fears related to mortality. Marcie's situation does not reflect considerations of mortality or existential dread but rather a straightforward emotional response to a perceived threat, making this option irrelevant in the context of her experience.

E) Drive reduction

Drive reduction theory pertains to motivation and the reduction of physiological needs. It does not apply to the context of Marcie's emotional experience in response to a snake, which is more about immediate emotional reactions rather than fulfilling or reducing a physiological need.

Conclusion

Marcie's experience aligns with the James-Lange theory, as her physiological response of a pounding heart leads her to label her emotion as fear. The other options fail to appropriately describe her experience, either by mischaracterizing the sequence of emotional processing or by addressing unrelated concepts. Thus, the James-Lange theory is definitively the correct interpretation of her emotional response.