AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Definition. Richard L. Solomon’s opponent process theory of emotions-also commonly referred to as the opponent process theory of acquired motivation-contends that the primary or initial reaction to an emotional event (State A) will be followed by an opposite secondary emotional state (State B).

Detailed explanation-2: -The opponent process theory proposes that one member of the color pair suppresses the other color. For example, we do see yellowish-greens and reddish-yellows, but we never see reddish-green or yellowish-blue color hues. The theory was first proposed by German physiologist Ewald Hering in the late 1800s.

Detailed explanation-3: -Solomon and the theory is also commonly referred to as the opponent process theory of acquired motivation. What this basically amounts to is a process which sees a stimulus that initially inspires displeasure will eventually-with the passage of time-become a pleasurable emotional response and vice-versa.

Detailed explanation-4: -The opponent process theory states that the more a person experiences the fear, the less the fear will affect them. This decrease in fear may continue to the point where the situation is no longer scary. If the stimulus (the thing feared) is no longer a fear, then a second emotion (relief) takes over.