Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotions

Criticism of James Lange Theory

            The James Lange cause-effect theory went into disuse due to wide spread criticism. In response to it a new theory was proposed by Walter Cannon (1927 and Philip Bard (1934).

Criticism of James Lange Theory (explorable.com):

(i)         Emotions are not connected to the physiological reactions. In other words physical reactions can be experienced without emotions.

(ii)        Various emotions have similar visceral reactions and changes. E. g. heart rate.

(iii)       It has found that various internal organs are reasonably insensitive parts of the body.

(iv)       Strong emotions that are typically attributed to specific visceral changes may not be produced if the same visceral changes are triggered through artificial means.

(v)        The action of the subcortical centers of the brain leads to emotional expression.

(vi)       Affective experience results from thalamic responses.

(vii)      No alteration on emotional behaviour occurs when the viscera is totally separated from the central nervous system or CNS. This was proven by the cats being alive after the viscera have been removed.

Cannon Bard Theory of Emotions

            The theory suggests that emotional experience (Cognitive changes & internal bodily changes) and emotional behaviour (external bodily changes) occur simultaneously.

Explanation of Cannon Bard Theory of Emotions

            The Cannon-Bard theory claims that the entire process of emotion is mediated by thalamus which after perception of the emotion-provoking stimulus conveys this information simultaneously to the cerebral cortex and to the skeletal muscles and sympathetic nervous system. The cerebral cortex then determines the nature of the perceived stimulus by referring to past experiences. This determines the subjective experience of the emotion. At the same time the sympathetic nervous system and the muscles provide physiological arousal and prepare the individual to take action (NCERT, XI).

References:

1.         NCERT,  (2013). XI Psychology Text book.

2.         Ciccarelli, S. K. & Meyer, G. E. (2016). Psychology. Noida: Pearson India.

3.         Baron, R. (1993). Psychology.

4.         https://explorable.com/cannon-bard-theory-of-emotion        

5.         https://www.scienceofpeople.com/emotion-maps-emotions-change-body/.

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