This paper examines major theoretical approaches to understanding emotion, including evolutionary and cognitive perspectives, with particular focus on the James–Lange, Cannon–Bard, and Schachter–Singer two-factor theories. Through a review of relevant literature, it explores the role of neural structures in emotional experience and evaluates the extent to which these biological mechanisms account for emotional processes. While substantial evidence supports the involvement of specific neural structures in emotion, the relative contribution of these structures compared to other factors—such as individual differences—remains unclear. Research suggests that neural structures may function differently across individuals, highlighting variability in emotional experience and processing (Adolphs, 1999).

The paper also addresses the methodological challenges inherent in studying emotion, given the difficulty of defining, manipulating, and measuring emotional behaviour within a scientific framework. Within cognitive neuroscience, particular emphasis has been placed on the amygdala, with extensive research demonstrating its critical role in fear processing in both human and animal studies. However, emotion cannot be localised to a single brain structure. Other emotions have been associated with distinct neural regions, including the orbitofrontal cortex in anger (Blair, 1999) and the insula in disgust (Wicker et al., 2003).

Overall, the paper argues that emotional experience emerges from the interaction of multiple neural systems rather than isolated structures. In line with LeDoux’s assertion that emotion is not a singular function of the brain but a product of evolved, specialised neural systems, the paper highlights a shift in cognitive neuroscience toward examining interconnected neural networks. Drawing on Gazzaniga (2009), it concludes that further research into individual differences and system-level interactions is essential to fully understand how the brain generates both typical and adaptive emotional responses.