Cannon Bard Theory - Nila

CANNON- BARD THEORY
OF EMOTION
Nila Sasikumar
1st M Sc Psychology
MSY426
• Emotion is often defined as a complex state of feeling that results in physical and
psychological changes that influence thought and behaviour.
• The theories of emotion are James- Lange theory of emotion, Cannon- bard theory
of emotion, Schachter- Singer theory of emotion, Cognitive appraisal theory, Facial
-feedback theory and emotional intelligence.
WHAT IS CANNON- BARD THEORY?
• The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion

states that stimulating events trigger
feelings and physical reactions that
occur at the same time.
• E.g., seeing a snake might prompt

feeling of fear (emotional response) and
a racing heartbeat (physical reaction).
• The theory was developed in 1927 by Walter
B. Cannon and his graduate student Philip
Bard.
• Established as an alternative to the James-

Lange theory of emotion, a dominant theory at
that time, which states that feelings are a result
of physical reactions to a stimulating event.
• In his experiments, Cannon discovered that it was still possible to experience
emotion even if the brain was excised from the signals of bodily responses.
• Added that, it was not reliable to depend on bodily responses to know the type of
emotion a person experiences as different emotions may be formed by the same
bodily responses
• He suggests that both of these reactions occur simultaneously and independently. In
other words, the physical reaction isn’t dependent on the emotional reaction, and
vice versa.
• Cannon-Bard proposes that both of these reactions originate simultaneously in

the thalamus, a small brain structure responsible for receiving sensory information.
It relays it to the appropriate area of the brain for processing.
HOW IT
OCCURS…..
• When a triggering event occurs, the thalamus might send signals to the amygdala. The
amygdala is responsible for processing strong emotions, such as fear, pleasure, or anger.
• It might also send signals to the cerebral cortex, which controls conscious thought. Signals
sent from the thalamus to the autonomic nervous system and skeletal muscles control
physical reactions. These include sweating, shaking, or tense muscles.
• Sometimes the Cannon-Bard theory is referred to as the thalamic theory of emotion.

STUDIES SUPPORTING THE
THEORY
• There are studies that concluded that physiological changes do not play an important role in
the experience of emotions.
• Studies found that animals displayed normal emotional reactions even when their spinal cord
has been removed, as in the case of dogs in the study done by Sherrington in 1900, and even
when the nervous system of cats were severed, as in the case of Cannon’s study in 1927.
• Dana’s research in 1921 also showed the same results in which he studied an individual with
spinal cord damage but who still demonstrated a range of emotions.
CRITICISMS
• Theory places too much emphasis on the role that the thalamus plays in emotions while largely
ignoring other parts of the brain. The thalamus is part of the limbic system and does play an
important part in the experience of emotions, but more recent research suggests that the process is
more complex than the Cannon-Bard theory suggests.
• The basic assumption of Cannon-Bard theory, that physical reactions do not lead to emotions, has
been refuted by a number of studies. Research has shown that when people are asked to make a
particular facial expression, such as frowning or smiling, they are more likely to also experience an
emotion connected to that expression.
CONCLUSION
• The Cannon- Bard theory suggests that we experience psychological arousal
and emotion at the same time, but gives no attention to the role of thoughts or
outward behaviour.
• The Cannon-Bard theory is a theory of emotions that challenged the influential
James-Lange theory.
• According to Cannon, the brain’s thalamus is crucial for our emotions.
• Cannon’s research has been influential, although more recent research has led
to a more precise understanding of which brain regions are involved in
emotions.

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CANNON- BARD THEORY

• The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion

• E.g., seeing a snake might prompt

• Established as an alternative to the James-

• Cannon-Bard proposes that both of these reactions originate simultaneously in

• Sometimes the Cannon-Bard theory is referred to as the thalamic theory of emotion.

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