Schachter’s Two-Schachter’s Two-Factor Theory of Factor Theory of

EmotionEmotion

This theory is similar to Bem’s This theory is similar to Bem’s explanation for the cause of behavior explanation for the cause of behavior in general. Schachter’s theory looks in general. Schachter’s theory looks specifically at how we decide what specifically at how we decide what emotion we are experiencing – when emotion we are experiencing – when we are experiencing one.we are experiencing one.

When trying to understand what kind of When trying to understand what kind of person we are, we first watch what we person we are, we first watch what we do and feel and then deduce our nature do and feel and then deduce our nature from this. from this.

This means that the first step in the This means that the first step in the experience of emotion is to experience experience of emotion is to experience physiological arousal. You are physiological arousal. You are physiologically up or down, compared to physiologically up or down, compared to normalnormal

We then try to find a label to explain our We then try to find a label to explain our feelings, usually by looking at what we feelings, usually by looking at what we are doing (behavior) and what else is are doing (behavior) and what else is happening at the time of the arousal happening at the time of the arousal (environment). (environment).

Thus we don’t just feel angry, happy or Thus we don’t just feel angry, happy or whatever: we experience general feeling whatever: we experience general feeling and then decide what they mean, a and then decide what they mean, a specific emotion. specific emotion.

Two Factor TheoryTwo Factor Theory

Physiological arousal (up or down) Physiological arousal (up or down) occursoccurs ++

Environmental circumstancesEnvironmental circumstances ==

Attributed emotionAttributed emotion

Example 1Example 1

I am tense and sweatingI am tense and sweating ++

A gun is being pointed at meA gun is being pointed at me ==

I am afraidI am afraid

Example 2Example 2

I am tense and sweatingI am tense and sweating ++

Sorority Sue is looking at me and Sorority Sue is looking at me and smilingsmiling

== I am in loveI am in love

Note in these two examples, the Note in these two examples, the state of arousal that the person is state of arousal that the person is experiencing is the same. What experiencing is the same. What changes is the environment.changes is the environment.

Two-factor theory argues that the Two-factor theory argues that the cues in the environment are what cues in the environment are what determine the emotion that we determine the emotion that we believe we are experiencing.believe we are experiencing.

Have you ever heard (or been told) Have you ever heard (or been told) someone say to a friend who is a bit someone say to a friend who is a bit unhappy, “You need to go unhappy, “You need to go somewhere fun. You’ll feel better.”?somewhere fun. You’ll feel better.”?

This statement is actually an This statement is actually an application of Schachter’s theory. application of Schachter’s theory. Change the environment and the Change the environment and the emotion will change with it.emotion will change with it.

Would this work for severely Would this work for severely depressed people? Nodepressed people? No

But, for minor ups and downs, there But, for minor ups and downs, there is something to the argument.is something to the argument.

Research ExampleResearch Example

Schachter and Singer (1962) gave some Schachter and Singer (1962) gave some people a mild stimulant and others a people a mild stimulant and others a placebo (on a pretence of testing placebo (on a pretence of testing vitamins). They then gave them a vitamins). They then gave them a questionnaire containing rather questionnaire containing rather personal questions. Another person in personal questions. Another person in the room got angry at the questionnaire. the room got angry at the questionnaire. The people who had been given the The people who had been given the stimulant (and thus felt aroused) stimulant (and thus felt aroused) reported that they felt angry themselves.reported that they felt angry themselves.

Stimulant : ArousalStimulant : Arousal ++

Environment: An angry personEnvironment: An angry person ==

Emotion: I am angry tooEmotion: I am angry too

Research ExampleResearch Example

Dutton and Aron (1974) had an Dutton and Aron (1974) had an attractive woman ask for interviews of attractive woman ask for interviews of young men. Some were interviewed on a young men. Some were interviewed on a swaying rope bridge, 200 ft above a swaying rope bridge, 200 ft above a river. Others were interviewed on level river. Others were interviewed on level ground. A part way through the ground. A part way through the interview, she gives them her phone interview, she gives them her phone number. Over 60 % from the rope bridge number. Over 60 % from the rope bridge called her. Only 30% interviewed on called her. Only 30% interviewed on ground called her. ground called her.

Explanation: Bridge IntervieweesExplanation: Bridge Interviewees

ArousalArousal ++

Attractive woman gave me her Attractive woman gave me her phone numberphone number

== Emotion: I must like her (I’m turned Emotion: I must like her (I’m turned

on). I’ll callon). I’ll call

Explanation: Ground IntervieweesExplanation: Ground Interviewees

No arousalNo arousal ++

Attractive woman gave me her phone Attractive woman gave me her phone numbernumber ++

Emotion: I must not be interested Emotion: I must not be interested (she doesn’t turn me on). I won’t call.(she doesn’t turn me on). I won’t call.

Two-factor theory says that the Two-factor theory says that the emotion that we feel that we are emotion that we feel that we are experiencing when we are aroused is experiencing when we are aroused is determined by factors present in our determined by factors present in our environment. The environmental environment. The environmental factors determine the emotion that factors determine the emotion that we believe we are experiencing.we believe we are experiencing.

How do we know what emotion to How do we know what emotion to attach to an experience? This must attach to an experience? This must be learned.be learned.

ExampleExample

I am a child and I am arousedI am a child and I am aroused ++

I am in front of a lion cage and dad I am in front of a lion cage and dad is telling me not to be afraidis telling me not to be afraid

== The arousal I am experiencing must The arousal I am experiencing must

be fearbe fear

ExampleExample

I am a child watching a high wire act I am a child watching a high wire act in a circus and I am arousedin a circus and I am aroused

++ Dad tells me that this is really Dad tells me that this is really

exciting to himexciting to him ==

The arousal I am experiencing must The arousal I am experiencing must be excitementbe excitement