What is the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion?
The physical reactions are not dependent upon the emotional reactions, or vice versa.
When an event occurs, the thalamus transmits a signal to the amygdala.
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While you might immediately think of negative emotional responses, it also applies to positive emotions.
You will begin to feel fearful, and your heart will begin to race.
A New Job
Imagine that you are starting a new job.
Your first day can be stressful.
Cannon-Bard theory suggests that you would experience both physical and emotional signs of stress simultaneously.
You might feel nervous and experience an upset stomach.
A Date
Imagine that you are going on a date with someone you recently met.
You really like this person and are excited to spend time with them.
James-Lange Theory
Cannon-Bard theory was formulated as a reaction to the James-Lange theory of emotion.
Where James-Lange theory represented a physiological explanation for emotions, the Cannon-Bard theory represents and neurobiological approach.
William Jamesstheory suggested that people first experience a physiological reaction in response to a stimulus in the environment.
People then experience some sort of physiological reaction to this stimulus which is then labeled as an emotion.
For example, if you run into a growling dog, you might begin to breathe rapidly and tremble.
James-Lange theory would then suggest that you would label those feelings as fear.
Cannon’s work instead suggested thatemotionscould be experienced even when the body does not reveal a physiological reaction.
In other cases, he noted, physiological reactions to different emotions can be extremely similar.
These emotions are very different, but the physiological responses are the same.
The theory suggests that the physiological reactions must be cognitively labeled and interpreted as a particular emotion.
The theory emphasizes the role that cognition and elements of the situation play in the experience of emotion.
Fama R, Sullivan EV.Thalamic structures and associated cognitive functions: Relations with age and aging.
