Understanding the Cannon-Bard Theory
The Cannon-Bard theory, proposed by Walter Cannon, explains how stimuli are processed and result in emotional experiences. According to Cannon, when a stimulus triggers receptors, it sends impulses to the brain’s cortex. These impulses then follow established processes that determine an appropriate response.
Once the impulses reach the cortex, they stimulate the thalamus, which in turn activates specific patterns of neurons. These neurons are responsible for generating various emotional expressions. As the neurons discharge, they also stimulate muscles and nerves throughout the body.
One crucial aspect of the Cannon-Bard theory is that the physical effects and the emotional experience occur simultaneously but independently. In other words, the body’s physiological response and the feeling of emotion are two separate processes that happen in parallel.
Origins
In their pursuit to challenge the prevailing emotion model of their time, Walter Cannon and Philip Bard heavily relied on animal experiments to develop and test their theory. The theory they sought to challenge was known as the James-Lange theory, which postulated that the experience of emotion is triggered by physiological arousal. According to this theory, when a person is crying, they come to the realization that they must be sad.