Cannon-Bard Theory
Definition
The Cannon-Bard theory posits that we experience physiological reactions and emotions simultaneously from an emotion-provoking event.
Analogy
Imagine getting surprised at a party. As soon as your friends yell "Surprise!", both your heart starts pounding (physiological reaction) and you feel shocked (emotion) at the same time.
Related terms
Simultaneous Processing: Processing multiple aspects of a problem simultaneously; generally used in reference to the brain's processing visual information about color, shape, size, and location.
Event: Anything that happens, especially something important or unusual.
Emotion-Provoking: Something that causes a strong feeling such as love, fear, joy, etc.
"Cannon-Bard Theory" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (9)
- The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion finds that emotions:
- The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion finds that emotions:
- How does the Cannon-Bard theory differ from the James-Lange theory in explaining emotional responses?
- According to the Cannon-Bard theory, how would one explain crying during an emotional film scene?
- In the Cannon-Bard theory, emotion and physiological reactions occur simultaneously following which event?
- In what way does the Cannon-Bard theory challenge James-Lange's perspective on emotions?
- Which theory of emotion, replaced by the Cannon-Bard theory, suggested that physical arousal precedes emotional experience?
- How might an experimenter test the Cannon-Bard Theory using cutting-edge technology?
- In what way could Cannon-Bard theory's claim -- "emotions and physiological changes occur simultaneously" -- be disputed?
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