Which statement describes the James-Lange theory of emotion?

• A. Emotion follows arousal
• B. Arousal comes before emotion
• C. Emotions and arousal occur simultaneously
• D. Cognitive labeling determines emotion

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is that emotional experience comes from perceiving the body's arousal. James-Lange argues that physiological changes happen first—your heart beats faster, you thrill or tremble—and then you interpret those bodily signals as a specific emotion. Because the arousal precedes the feeling, the best way to express this idea is that arousal comes before emotion. This differs from theories that say emotions and arousal happen at the same time, or that emotion is largely determined by cognitive labeling of the situation. In James-Lange, the emotion is the brain’s interpretation of the bodily state, not something that arises from thinking about the cause of the arousal.