Cognitive Labeling Theory

The Cognitive Labeling Theory attempts to explain emotions and the significance they have by focusing on how they are formed and why. When an emotional event occurs our mind and body become aroused (a heightened sensory state) and connect the event to the arousal. This is what makes an emotion, the connection between the arousal and the event. This theory purports that a failure to attribute emotional significance to a physical or mental reaction to an event (being aroused by an event) isn't an emotion. Without the link between the event and emotion it is simply a thought and not an emotion.