What is the Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion?

Where do our emotions come from? What is it about the human body and mind that has the capacity to form emotions and reactions to such a variety of situations? Even more important, why do we form these emotions? Are they simply a function of our minds reacting, or do they also deal with physiological responses by the body. Although these may seem to be current questions, they really are not, and they have been asked for hundreds of years. Of course, in the hundreds of years that they questions have been asked, many theories and possible answers have also been proposed. It is also worth noting that many of these theories in question have also been largely disproved or at least not considered to contain relevant information. However, one such theory that has retained prominence even to do this day is known as the "Cannon-Bard Theory", and it proposes some truly revolutionary ideas regarding emotion.

Before we begin discussing Cannon-Bard, though, it becomes very important to know that the Cannon-Bard theory was actually developed as a reaction to an earlier philosophy. One of the earliest, and best known, theories of emotion, named the James-Lange Theory, inspired Walter Cannon and Phillip Bard to create and propose their own theory. In essence, the James-Lange theory was the idea that the emotions are a response to what is happening by the body. So, if we were to run from something out of fear, the running would occur first and then the fear would be realized secondary. While the James-Lange theory may have been interesting when it was first conceived, the Cannon-Bard theory attempts to improve upon and correct the ideas that could be found in that theory.

According to Cannon-Bard, emotions do not come as a response to physiological conditions. However, at the same time, neither do emotions come and then the body creates a physical reaction to said emotions. When we consider this philosophy, we realize that, according to Cannon-Bard, emotions and physiological responses or reactions occur at exactly the same time. The main issue with James-Lange, according to Cannon-Bard is that when the body becomes aware or ready to respond to a certain condition or action, it actually takes several seconds for the sympathetic nervous system and other autonomous reactions to kick in, they are not instantaneous reactions. For that reason, it seems almost impossible that the James-Lange theory could be considered scientifically relevant.

While the idea that the emotions and physical reaction occur roughly at the same time does indeed hold supporters even in today's world, there are inherent problems with this theory as well. Later research would suggest that interpretation is absolutely vital as well when we wish to discuss emotions and their presence. However, as the Cannon-Bard theory does not leave room for interpretation, it would be somewhat difficult to say that it still holds a good amount of weight in the psychological community today.

Even though history may not prove every theory that has ever been proposed correct, if we remain ignorant of the past, it is unlikely that we will be able to fix anything in the future. If we truly wish to succeed and move beyond what we know now, it is of paramount importance that we learn what has come before us, and begin to think about what that means, as well as the role that such theories can play in modern research. Even though history may have somewhat discounted the Cannon-Bard Theory, it is nonetheless one of the most accurate pieces of early work detailing our emotions and emotional responses, and many researchers today still work with the Cannon-Bard theory in attempting to develop and discuss new ideas about our emotions, and what leads us to think, behave and react in the ways that we do.