James Lang Theory of Emotions

American psychologist William James (1884) and Danish psychologist Carl Lang (1887) independently proposed two theories of emotions. Though both the psychologists worked separately and proposed their theories separately, the main assumption of both theories of emotion was similar. Therefore, these two theories are combined into a single theory called James Lang theory of emotions.

This theory explains that how emotions are produced by physiological changes that occur in the body. Generally, it is believed that physiological changes result from the emotional state of the person. However, this theory gives an opposite explanation: emotions result from physiological changes.

According to this theory, when an individual encounters an external stimulus, it causes physiological changes in his body. When the body is physiologically aroused, the individual start to express an emotion accordingly. For instance, a person is walking in a street at midnight, when he sees some fearful creature in the street, his heartbeat increases, and his body starts to tremble. The person tends to pay attention to his increased heartbeat and trembling body which, in turn, arouses his emotions of fear. To understand it in another way is that if the individual sees the fearful creature but his heartbeat remains normal and his body is able to remain firm and stable, he will not experience the emotion of fear.

According to these two psychologists, emotions follow physiological changes. This means that physiological changes occur after receiving a stimulus and the individual realizes his physiological changes, this realization of one’s physiological changes leads to arousal of emotions accordingly. In simple words, physiological changes are the cause; and emotional experience is the effect.

According to these two psychologists for a person to experience an emotion he or she must have undergone physiological changes in his body. The physiological changes are the cause; and the emotional experience is the effect. 

   Difference between James Lang view and the Common-sense view

It is important to understand the difference between James Lang view and the common-sense view. As noted earlier, James Lang view is that physiological changes lead to the experience of emotions. However, the common-sense view is that emotional experience in real leads to physiological changes.

For example, common sense tells that when the individual sees a fearful creature, his emotions of fear arouse and thus, because of this emotional arousal, his heartbeat increase, and his body starts to tremble. On the other hand, James Lang theory argues that when the person sees a fearful creature, his heartbeat increases and his body starts to tremble, and the realization of this abnormal physiological state (caused by the stimulus: seeing a fearful creature) leads to arousal of emotions of fear.  

   Criticism on James Lang theory

This theory has received criticism from some psychologists. For instance, psychologist Walter Cannon rejected the James Lang theory of emotions. He argued that if emotions result from physiological changes, it would be difficult to differentiate among emotions because physiological reactions for different emotions can be similar. For instance, a fast heartbeat can be due to fear but can also be due to excitement. Since different emotions can be linked to one specific physiological change (such as a fast heartbeat), this theory may lack the potential to differentiate in different emotions caused by similar physiological changes.