Cannon-bard Theory Information
Walter Bradford Cannon (1871-1945) was a physiologist at Harvard University, who is perhaps best known for his classic treatise on homeostasis.[1] Philip Bard (1898-1977) was a doctoral student of Cannon's, and together they developed a model of emotion called the Cannon-Bard Theory.[2] Cannon was an ardent experimenter who relied on studies of animal physiology. Through these studies, Cannon and Bard highlighted the role of the brain in generating physiological responses and feelings; a role that is important in their explanation of emotion experience and production.[3]
The Cannon-Bard Theory, also known as the thalamic theory, suggests that individuals experience emotions and physiologically react simultaneously. These actions include changes in muscular tension, perspiration, etc. This theory challenges the James-Lange theory of emotion introduced in the late 19th century, which suggests that emotion results from one's "bodily change," rather than the other way around.[4]
The theory sparked much controversy in cognitive circles due to its suggestion that emotion lacks a mechanism, and many theorists attempted to provide explanations of emotion that suggested a mechanism. One such theory was provided by Schachter & Singer's two factor theory of emotion, in which they posited that emotion is the cognitive interpretation of a physiological response. For many, this remains the best formulation of emotion.[5]
Example
- "I see a man outside my window. I am afraid. I begin to perspire."
The Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion is based on the premise that one reacts to a specific stimulus and experiences the corresponding emotion simultaneously. Therefore, if one is afraid of heights and is traveling to the top of a skyscraper, they are likely to experience the emotion of fear. Subsequently, the perception of this emotion (fear) influences the person's reaction to the stimulus (heights). Cannon and Bard posited that one is able to react to a stimulus only after experiencing the related emotion and experience.[6]
References
- ^ Friedman, B.H. (2010). "Feelings and the body: The Jamesian perspective on autonomic specificity of emotion". Biological Psychology 84: 383-393. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.10.006.
- ^ American Physiological Society. "Philip Bard". http://the-aps.org/fm/presidents/intropb.html.
- ^ Friedman, B.H. (2010). "Feelings and the body: The Jamesian perspective on autonomic specificity of emotion". Biological Psychology 84: 383-393. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.10.006.
- ^ What is the Cannon-Bard Theory? Psychology.about.com. Accessed March 10th, 2012.
- ^ Two-Factor Theory. ChangingMinds.org. Accessed March 10th, 2012.
- ^ Emotion in Psychology. AllPsych.com. Accessed March 10th, 2012.
See also
- Cannon, W. B. (1927) The James-Lange theory of emotion: A critical examination and an alternative theory. American Journal of Psychology, 39, 10-124.
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