Question

The theory of emotion that states that the thalamus sends sensory information to the cortex and the sympathetic organs at the same time is the _________ theory.

• A. James-Lange
• B. Cannon-Bard
• C. Schachter- Singer
• D. Facial feedback

Hint:

Think of "Cannon-Bard" as a double-barreled shotgun firing at the exact same time: one barrel fires physiological arousal, and the other fires subjective emotional experience.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the classical theory of emotion asserting that emotional experience and physiological arousal occur simultaneously via thalamic pathways.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion (proposed by Walter Cannon and Philip Bard) argues that emotional feelings and physical arousal are parallel, independent processes.

• When an emotion-triggering stimulus is perceived, sensory pathways transmit this information to the thalamus.

• The thalamus simultaneously relays this information to the cerebral cortex (producing the subjective experience of emotion) and the autonomic nervous system (triggering bodily arousal).

• The James-Lange theory, by contrast, argues that physiological arousal occurs first, and our cognitive perception of that physical state is what we label as emotion.

• The Schachter-Singer (two-factor) theory states that emotion is determined by both undifferentiated physiological arousal and a cognitive label applied to it.

• The Facial Feedback hypothesis focuses on how facial muscle movements directly modulate emotional experiences.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The theory pointing to simultaneous thalamic distribution of emotional experience and arousal is the Cannon-Bard theory.