Emotions are complex psychological states that weave together subjective cognitive experiences, physiological responses, and behavioral expressions. Psychologists have offered several theories to explain how these components combine to produce what we feel, most famously the James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, and Schachter-Singer models. Getting comfortable with these theories, along with the universally recognized basic emotions, gives you a solid grip on the fundamentals of human feeling.
Entrance exams lean hard on your ability to tell the three classic theories of emotion apart, usually through a practical scenario where you have to pick out the correct sequence of events. Students frequently blur the James-Lange theory (arousal comes first and causes the emotion) with the Cannon-Bard theory (arousal and emotion occur simultaneously), so drill both sequences until they’re automatic. Also, make sure you firmly link the Schachter-Singer theory to "cognitive labeling" based on environmental cues, and memorize Ekman’s six basic universal emotions.
Part of Basic Psychology, module “Motivation & Emotion”. Sign in (free) to read the full notes, flashcards and the lesson quiz.