Theories of emotions. general characteristics

Theories of emotions are formed throughout the history of the development of psychology and physiology. It is difficult to answer the question of which one is classical, since all are correct. Therefore, a more complete statement will be that they complement each other. Let us examine in detail the main provisions of each of them.

The theory of emotions of Wilhelm Wundt considers in more detail their structure. The scientist was able to distinguish such manifestations as pleasure or displeasure, calm or agitation. In addition, within the framework of this direction, much attention was paid to tension or relaxation. In general, the psychologist emphasized that the main reasons for their appearance are physiological.

The James-Lange theory is a vasomotor model. She explains why this mental process arises . The leading role is assigned to the somatovegetative component. Therefore, any emotion is a sensation that appears in the process of changes in external movements, as well as involuntary (secretory, vascular and cardiac) activity. Consequently, the cause is peripheral changes.

These early theories of emotion were criticized by physiologists in the middle of the 19th century, using a series of experiments. Thus, Charles Sherrington cut the spinal cord in the cervical region, as well as the vagus nerves. As a result, it was shown that the animal responded emotionally as it did before. Therefore, separation from the central HC visceral does not exert any influence.

W. Cannon, an American psychophysiologist and physiologist, showed that at the time of the onset of emotional excitement, the hormone adrenaline is released simultaneously. It is he who can ensure the mobilization of the whole organism for active action. At this moment, palpitation begins to intensify, the pupils widen and the digestive process is disturbed, and sugar is increased.

Later, biological theories of emotions appeared.

One of the most popular is the concept of P. Anokhin . It explains the appearance of negative and positive emotions by the fact that there is a mismatch or a coincidence of the expected result and the real state of things.

Within the framework of biological theories is the concept of activation of emotions . It is based on the importance of the role of the internal structure of the brain. The sensory stimulus comes from the periphery to the center where it undergoes evaluation. The fact is that in the thalamus samples and sensory assessments of any behavior are laid. The existing "answer" is transmitted to the implementing body, from which the message will be transmitted, how to behave: to be happy or sad, to be surprised or angry, and so on.

Psychological theories of emotions are as follows.

The author of the need-information concept is P. Simonov. According to her, emotion is the reflection of an actual animal's need by the brain of an animal or person (besides this, its quality and magnitude are important factors) and the likelihood of how much it will be satisfied. This will be assessed on the basis of genetic, or the previously acquired individual experience.

AT The concept of S. Schechter is based on two components that cause the experience of emotions. On the one hand, physiological arousal appears, on the other hand, the situation begins to be interpreted cognitively. For this, the excitation that has appeared is interpreted. This theory was based on a series of experiments in which respondents were injected with an exciting drug. Then we watched the behavior changes.

It can be noted that modern theories of emotions explain their appearance by psychophysiological reasons.