According to the James-Lange theory, what leads to the experience of emotions?

The James-Lange theory posits that emotions are experienced as a result of physiological reactions to stimuli. According to this theory, an event causes a physiological response, such as increased heart rate, sweating, or muscle tension, and it is the awareness of these physical sensations that leads to the subjective experience of emotion.

For example, if you encounter a bear in the woods, your body may react with increased heart rate and adrenaline release, and it is the perception of these changes that creates the feeling of fear. Therefore, the physical sensations that arise from our body’s responses to various stimuli are fundamental to how we perceive our emotions, making physical sensations the core element in the James-Lange theory of emotional experience.