what is the Cannon-Bard theory?
A psychological theory which suggests that people feel emotions first, and then act upon them. These actions include changes in muscular tension, perspiration, etc. [edit] Example I see a spider. I am afraid. I begin to perspire. The Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion is based on the premise that one is only able to react to a specific stimulus after experiencing an emotion. Therefore, if one is afraid of heights and is travelling to the top of a skyscraper, they are likely to expreience the emotion of fear. Subsequently, the perception of this emotion (fear) influences the persons reaction to the stimulus (heights). Cannon and Bard posited that one is able to react to a stimulus only after experiencing the related emotion. [edit] Model STIMULUS (Bear) –> EMOTION (Fear) –> REACTION/RESPONSE (Run Away) This model sparked much controversy in cognitive circles due to it’s suggestion that there is no mechanism to emotion, and many theorists attempted to provide explanations of emotion that pr
