Discrepancy, Arousal and Labeling: Towards a Psychosocial Theory of Emotion*

Abstract

The relation of schematic discrepancy to emotional experience is discussed. It is argued that schematic discrepancy constitutes one important basis of emotional arousal and that we label arousal according to rules defined by discrepancy. The identifying and processing of discrepancies is described within an information processing framework. The labeling of both positive and negative emotions (defined as differing in the resolution of discrepancy) is discussed. Cultural influences on both the experiencing and labeling of emotion are elaborated and implications are drawn.