James-Lang and the Cannon Bard Theory

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There is less agreement on how we become emotional. The four major theories are the James- Lange, Cannon-Bard, facial feedback, and Schachter's two-factor theory. Each of these theories emphasizes different sequences or aspects of the three elements (Cognitions, arousal, and expression).(pg.425) The two most important factors I feel like is the James-Lang theory and the Cannon-Bard theory. The James-Lang theory is when emotions are a result of a physiological response to an external stimuli. The James-Lange theory of emotion proposes that emotions occur as a result of physiological reactions to events. According to this theory, you see an external stimulus that leads to a physiological reaction. Your emotional reaction is dependent upon how you interpret those physical reactions. For example, suppose you are walking in the woods and you see a grizzly bear. You begin to tremble and your heart begins to race. The James-Lange theory proposes that you will interpret your physical reactions and conclude that you are frightened ("I am trembling, therefore I am afraid.") The James-Lang theory starts with the Event--->Arousal--->Interpretation--->Emotion. The Cannon-Bard theory is when the emotions and physiological responses occur at the same time. The Cannon-Bard theory states that we feel emotions and experience physiological reactions such as sweating, trembling and muscle tension simultaneously. More specifically, it is suggested that emotions result when the thalamus sends a message to the brain in response to a stimulus, resulting in a physiological reaction. For example: I see a snake --> I am afraid --> I begin to tremble. According to the Cannon-Bard theory, we react to a stimulus and experience the associated emotion at the same time. We go through the event---> physiological changes and emotion. The difference between the James-lang and the

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