However, many objections are raised against this theory (See Panel A below). Hence, according to this theory, fear, anger or sorrow is not the cause, but the effect of stirred up state of the body- that is, the felt emotion is the perception of bodily changes. This theory proposes that we perceive the situation, we react and then we notice our emotions. But American psychologist William James and Danish physiologist Carl Lange proposed that the physiological changes give rise to corresponding emotional experiences.Īccordingly, we are afraid because we run, we are angry because we strike, we feel sorry because we cry. Thus, emotion produces necessary physiological changes and expresses itself overtly. Accordingly, we cry because we are sad, we run because we are afraid, we fight because we are angry. Generally a layman believes that the physiological changes associated with emotion follow the conscious experience of the individual. Though each theory sounds true in its own way, no theory is comprehensive and adequate.Ī few theories are discussed in brief here under: 1. Cognitive Theory.Įach theory emphasizes different aspects of emotion. Affective experience results from thalamic responses.Theories of Emotions as Formulated by Different Psychologists are : 1.The action of the subcortical centers of the brain leads to emotional expression.Strong emotions that are typically attributed to specific visceral changes may not be produced if the same visceral changes are triggered through artificial means.Emotions and feelings may not result from visceral changes simply because visceral changes occur too slowly.The components of the viscera are found to be reasonably insensitive parts of the body.For instance, increased heart rate may not only indicate fear, but may also be a sign of high fever. Various emotional and non-emotional (purely physiologic) states emerge as a result of similar visceral changes.This was proven by the cats being alive after the viscera have been removed. ![]() No alteration on emotional behaviour occurs when the viscera is totally separated from the central nervous system or CNS.Based on their experiments, the theorists came up with seven concepts that negate the James-Lange Theory. Criticisms of James-lange TheoryĪs mentioned, the theory by Cannon and Bard emerged from their refutation of the concepts under the James-Lange Theory. One can observe the person’s emotion based on the physiological signals that his body displays. Therefore, this theory views stimulation/arousal and emotion as a combined response to a stimulating event.įor instance, when a person sees a venomous snake, he feels afraid and his muscles get tensed at the same time, preparing to run away from the dangerous animal. At the same time, the autonomic nervous system or ANS sends signals to muscles and other parts of the body, causing them to tense, increase in rate, change in rhythm, and more. The amygdala is responsible for the instantaneous response in the form of emotions, whereas the brain cortex is for the slower response. Once the thalamus receives the signal, it relays the information to two structures: the amygdala and the brain cortex. In a stimulating event, sensory signals are transmitted to the brain’s relay center, the thalamus. In essence, the theory is backed up by neurobiological science. The above sequence summarizes the Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion. The Theory Event => Simultaneous Arousal and Emotion The results of his experiments in 1915 challenged the James-Lange theory by proposing that arousal and emotions emerge at the same time after the perception of a stimulating occurrence. ![]() He believed that doing this would test whether emotion expression could emerge without a visceral afferent feedback (through the afferent nerves), as what the James-Lange theory implied. To test the theory, Cannon experimented on cats by severing the afferent nerves of the ANS’ sympathetic branch. During the time of Cannon, the James-Lange theory was one of the most prominent theories of emotion.
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