Which theory of emotion best supports the idea that interacting with others is beneficial when grieving for a loss because it helps individuals process and express their emotions through social connections?

• A. The facial feedback hypothesis, which proposes that facial expressions alone can influence emotional experiences.
• B. The Cannon-Bard theory, which suggests that emotions and physiological responses occur simultaneously and independently.
• C. The Schachter-Singer two-factor theory, which highlights the importance of cognitive appraisal and social context in experiencing emotions.
• D. The James-Lange theory, which emphasizes that emotions result from physiological arousal.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core idea of the problem, which is about identifying the theory of emotion that explains how social interaction helps individuals process and express emotions during grief.
2. Step 2: Review the key features of each theory mentioned: the Facial Feedback Hypothesis focuses on how facial expressions influence emotions; the Cannon-Bard theory states that emotions and physiological responses happen simultaneously and independently; the James-Lange theory emphasizes that emotions arise from physiological arousal.
3. Step 3: Focus on the Schachter-Singer two-factor theory, which proposes that emotion is the result of both physiological arousal and cognitive appraisal, including the social context in which the emotion occurs.
4. Step 4: Connect the idea of social interaction helping with grief to the Schachter-Singer theory’s emphasis on cognitive appraisal and social context, showing why this theory best supports the benefit of social connections in emotional processing.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the Schachter-Singer two-factor theory best explains the role of social interaction in grieving because it integrates both physiological arousal and the interpretation of social cues in emotional experience.