theorypedia
← Back to feed

Diagram Cannon Bard Theory Of Emotion Theories Of Emotion Diagram Quizlet - LIMES academy

limesacademy.com

The Cannon-Bard theory challenges our gut instinct about feelings — proving that physical reactions and emotions fire simultaneously, not one causing the other.

Cannon-Bard TheoryJames-Lange TheoryAppraisal Theory of EmotionCognitive-Physiological Theory

Theory Briefing

  • Cannon-Bard theory argues the thalamus sends signals to the body and brain at the same time, meaning emotion and physiology are parallel, not sequential.
  • This directly counters the James-Lange theory, which claimed bodily reactions come first and emotions are simply our interpretation of them.
  • Understanding these competing models reshapes how we think about emotional control — if feelings aren't caused by physical states, willpower works differently.