Which psychological perspective is most likely to define emotions as reactions triggered by events or thoughts?

• A. The humanistic perspective
• B. The cognitive perspective
• C. The behavioral perspective
• D. The psychodynamic perspective

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key concept in the question, which is how emotions are defined in relation to events or thoughts.
2. Step 2: Review the main psychological perspectives and their views on emotions: the humanistic perspective focuses on personal growth and self-actualization; the behavioral perspective emphasizes observable behaviors and external stimuli; the psychodynamic perspective centers on unconscious processes and childhood experiences.
3. Step 3: Recognize that the cognitive perspective explains emotions as reactions that arise from how we interpret or think about events, meaning emotions are triggered by our thoughts or mental processes.
4. Step 4: Match the description in the question—emotions as reactions triggered by events or thoughts—to the cognitive perspective, since it highlights the role of cognition in emotional experience.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the cognitive perspective is the most appropriate answer because it directly links emotions to cognitive processes such as thoughts and interpretations.