Zajonc-LeDoux
Definition
The Zajonc-LeDoux theory proposes that some emotional responses occur instantly without conscious appraisal. It suggests that we can experience an immediate emotional reaction to a stimulus before any cognitive processing takes place.
Analogy
Imagine walking into your house late at night when suddenly you see a shadowy figure. You might immediately feel fear (emotional response) before realizing it’s just your coat hanging on the rack (cognitive processing).
Related terms
Amygdala: Part of the brain involved in emotion processing. It plays a key role in mediating quick emotional responses like fear or aggression.
Unconscious Emotion: These are feelings not immediately available to consciousness but can influence behaviors and attitudes.
Fight-or-Flight Response: An automatic physiological reaction to threatening situations where one must decide between fighting off danger or fleeing.
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