This paper discusses the interaction of cognition and physiological factors in emotion from the viewpoint of a developmental-interactionist theory of motivation and emotion. Emphasis is given to the role of cognition in the theory of emotion. The nature of cognition is discussed in terms of (1) the "primacy" of emotion versus cognition; (2) knowledge by acquaintance versus knowledge by description; (3) cerebral lateralization and cognition; and (4) the interaction of syncretic and analytic cognition. The discussion explores the role of language in controlling behavior. Subsequent discussion differentiates self-as-acquaintance and self-as-description; interprets Rogers' self theory and Kelly's theory of personal constructs; and explores the implications of the foregoing for attribution theory. Distinctions are made between purposive and reactive attribution and self cognitions, body cognitions, and environmental cognitions. In conclusion, the relevance of the discussion of attribution theory and self theory to cognitive dissonance theory is suggested. (RH)