Emotions are the result of both physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. This theory suggests that when we experience a physiological response, we label it based on our cognitive interpretation of the situation, which then leads to the experience of an emotion.
Related terms
Physiological Arousal: The bodily changes associated with emotions such as increased heart rate or sweating.
Cognitive Interpretation: The process of assigning meaning to sensory information and events.
Emotional Experience: The subjective feeling that arises from the combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation.
"Schachter-Singer's two-factor theory of emotion" also found in: