Excitation-Transfer Theory

The theory of excitation transfer addresses sequential dependencies in emotional reactivity. Specifically, the theory posits a facilitation of affective and emotional reactions as a function of residual sympathetic excitation from preceding moods and emotions. In practical terms, the theory deals with two or more aroused emotional reactions that closely follow one another, and regardless of the kinds of aroused emotions involved, it predicts that the later reactions are intensified by lingering arousal from earlier reactions. The theory is thus capable of explaining, for example, why a chain of moderately distressing challenges can escalate frustration, fear, or anger to extreme levels; why people laugh especially heartily after having been frightened; why young men behave more aggressively after having been sexually aroused; why adolescents get more romantic after seeing a horror film; why children are similarly inclined to snuggle up on Mom after her reading of a scary fairytale; or, for that matter, why they become ecstatic upon learning that the terrifying wolf is dead. The theory, then, applies to emotional reactivity, whether it is evoked by exposure to media presentations or in actual situations. Moreover, its application to affective experiences during adolescence seems especially useful, as this developmental period is characterized by emotional turmoil and hyper-reactivity.

Technically speaking, excitation-transfer theory is based on the asynchrony of cognitive and excitatory adaptation to environmental stimulus changes. Neural mediation enables the quasi-instantaneous cognitive adjustment to situational changes. The systemic hormonal mediation of excitation, in contrast, is sluggish, and excitatory adjustment to change is accomplished only after considerable passage of time. The consequence of this discrepancy in adjustment time is that residues of excitation linger and influence behavior and experience for some time after cognitive adjustment to a novel situation has occurred.

As an integral part of the three-factor theory of emotion, excitation-transfer theory posits that the intensity of emotional reactivity is primarily determined by the magnitude of prevailing sympathetic excitation. To the extent, then, that residual excitation from preceding emotions is present when an emotional reaction is elicited by novel stimuli, the composite of residual and newly instigated excitation is expected to foster emotional reactivity whose intensity is greater than that specific to the new instigation alone. Residual excitation may therefore be considered to have “artificially” intensified the newly triggered emotion.

Provided that the emotions under consideration are marked by elevated sympathetic activity, the prediction of emotion facilitation entails the assumption that residual excitation from any emotion is transferable into any other emotion. Residues from fear, for example, should intensify anger, and residues from anger should likewise intensify fear. The facilitation of numerous emotions via residual excitation from taxonomically similar or discrepant preceding emotions is, in fact, well established by research demonstrations.

Although the exploration of excitation transfer has initially focused on situationally evoked emotions, the transfer facilitation of emotional reactivity has also been demonstrated for message-instigated emotions. Facilitation has been from, into, and both from and into such emotions. For example, residues from erotica-induced sexual excitation were found to facilitate subsequent situational anger and aggression; residues from disgust reactions proved capable of intensifying the enjoyment of music; and residues from exposure to rousing music fostered more laughter in response to comedy.

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