What does the Two-Factor Theory of emotion suggest is the basis for emotional experience?

The Two-Factor Theory of emotion, proposed by Stanley Schachter and Jerome Singer, posits that emotional experiences are the result of two key components: physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of that arousal. According to this theory, an individual first experiences physiological changes in response to a stimulus (such as increased heart rate or sweating). However, these physiological responses are not sufficient to produce emotions on their own. The individual must then evaluate the situation and cognitively interpret what their physiological arousal means in context.

For example, if a person sees a bear while hiking, their heart rate might increase and they might begin to sweat (physiological responses). However, how they label this arousal—whether as fear, excitement, or another emotion—depends on the cognitive appraisal of the situation. The label chosen will shape the emotional experience. Therefore, the combination of physiological arousal plus the cognitive interpretation leads to the full emotional experience, making both factors essential to understanding emotion.

This illustrates the importance of integrating both physiological and cognitive elements in the explanation of emotional experiences, which is why the understanding of emotional responses is more complex than just physiological changes, cognitive processes alone, or environmental influences.