Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion: Quiz for AP Psychology Students

🧠 Quick Study Guide: Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion

• 💡 The Cannon-Bard theory proposes that emotional stimuli simultaneously trigger physiological arousal and subjective experience of emotion.
• ⚡️ Unlike James-Lange, emotions and bodily responses occur at the same time, not one after the other.
• 🧠 The thalamus plays a crucial role, sending signals to both the cerebral cortex (for emotional experience) and the autonomic nervous system (for physiological arousal).
• ❌ This theory directly challenges the James-Lange theory, which suggests physiological arousal precedes and causes emotion.
• 🎭 An example: Seeing a bear makes you feel fear *and* your heart race *at the same time*.
• 📚 Key takeaway: Emotion and physiological reaction are independent but simultaneous responses to a stimulus.

📝 Practice Quiz: Cannon-Bard Theory

1. According to the Cannon-Bard theory, which of the following best describes the relationship between physiological arousal and the experience of emotion?

• A) Physiological arousal causes the experience of emotion.
• B) The experience of emotion causes physiological arousal.
• C) Physiological arousal and the experience of emotion occur simultaneously and independently.
• D) Cognitive appraisal determines both physiological arousal and the experience of emotion.

2. What brain structure is considered central to the Cannon-Bard theory's explanation of emotion?

• A) Amygdala
• B) Hippocampus
• C) Thalamus
• D) Hypothalamus

3. A student is walking alone at night and hears a sudden, loud noise. According to the Cannon-Bard theory, what would be the sequence of events?

• A) The student's heart races, and then they feel fear.
• B) The student feels fear, and then their heart races.
• C) The student's heart races and they feel fear at the exact same time.
• D) The student cognitively appraises the noise as dangerous, leading to fear and arousal.

4. The Cannon-Bard theory was developed as a direct critique of which other major theory of emotion?

• A) Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory
• B) James-Lange Theory
• C) Lazarus's Cognitive-Mediational Theory
• D) Facial Feedback Hypothesis

5. Which of the following experimental findings would *support* the Cannon-Bard theory?

• A) Patients with spinal cord injuries report reduced emotional intensity.
• B) Different emotions are associated with distinct patterns of physiological arousal.
• C) Physiological arousal can occur without the subjective experience of emotion.
• D) The same physiological arousal can be interpreted as different emotions based on context.

6. A key distinction of the Cannon-Bard theory is its emphasis on the idea that:

• A) Emotional experience is primarily a result of peripheral bodily changes.
• B) Cognitive labeling is essential for differentiating emotions.
• C) The brain's role in emotion is to receive and interpret bodily signals.
• D) The brain directly causes both the emotional feeling and the physical reaction.

7. If a person experiences fear and their heart rate increases simultaneously after encountering a threat, this observation aligns best with which theory of emotion?

• A) James-Lange Theory
• B) Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory
• C) Cannon-Bard Theory
• D) Opponent-Process Theory