To what extent do biological and cognitive factors interact with emotion

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Despite the differences between biological and cognitive factors, there have been attempts to combine the two perspectives. One such attempt is the two-factor theory of emotion. The two-factor theory of emotion suggested that emotion arises body arousal and appraisal. Unfortunately, there is little evidence for this theory. There is, however, evidence for a more limited effect of arousal on appraisal. For example, Zillman and Bryant found that participants who had just exercised responded more aggressively to provocation than participants who had not. Another study by Dutton and Aaron showed that male participants were observed to be more attracted to female interviewers when approached on a narrow footbridge, a high anxiety situation. These two studies suggest that arousal may have an affect on emotion, but they do not support the two-factor theory’s claim that emotion is dependent on arousal. It can therefore be concluded that while arousal and appraisal interact with one another, they do not require each other in order for emotion to be experienced. After all, it is possible to experience emotion with an injured spinal cord or brain, just as it is possible to become angry or sexually aroused without fear or stress inducing stimuli.

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Based on the evidence, biological and cognitive factors can be assumed to interact with emotion. It can be assumed that cognitive factors mainly influence conscious emotions and moods, while biological factors seem to be the major influence on the primary emotional reaction to external stimuli. This does not mean that biological factors cannot affect appraisal, but can often affect emotion.

Different emotions are experienced differently. However, researchers have found it difficult to detect clear psychological differences between them. Therefore, very similar patterns of autonomic arousal seem to influence emotions as distinct as fear, joy or anger. There are ...

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