What Is the Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion Definition and Overview

The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion was developed in the 1920s by Walter Cannon and Philip Bard as a response to the James-Lange theory of emotion. According to Cannon, a brain region known as the thalamus is responsible for responding to potentially emotional events. Key Takeaways: Cannon-Bard Theory 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. Historical Background In the early 1900s, an influential—yet controversial—theory of emotions was the James-Lange theory, put forward by William James  and Carl Lange. According to this theory, our emotions consist of physical changes in the body. (For an example, think of the feelings you might get when you’re nervous, such as your heart beating faster and feeling â€Å"butterflies† in your stomach—according to James, our emotional experiences consist of physiological sensations such as these.) Although this theory was incredibly influential, many researchers doubted some of the claims made by James and Lange. Among those who questioned the James-Lange theory was Walter Cannon, a professor at Harvard. Key Research In 1927, Cannon published a landmark paper critiquing the James-Lange theory and suggesting an alternate approach to understanding emotions. According to Cannon, scientific evidence suggested that there were several problems with the James-Lange theory: The James-Lange theory would predict that each emotion involves a slightly different set of physiological responses. However, Cannon noted that different emotions (e.g. fear and anger) can produce very similar physiological states, yet it’s relatively easy for us to tell the difference between these emotions.Cannon noted that many factors affect our physiological states but don’t produce an emotional response. For example, fever, low blood sugar, or being outside in cold weather can produce some of the same bodily changes as emotions (such as having a faster heart rate). However, these types of scenarios don’t typically produce strong emotions. If our physiological systems can be activated without feeling an emotion, Cannon suggested, then something else besides just physiological activation should occur when we feel an emotion.Our emotional responses can occur relatively rapidly (even within a second of perceiving something emotional). However, bodily changes ty pically occur much more slowly than this. Because bodily changes seem to occur more slowly than our emotions do, Cannon suggested that bodily changes couldn’t be the source of our emotional experience. Cannon’s Approach to Emotions According to Cannon, emotional responses and physiological changes in the body occur in response to emotional stimuli—but the two are separate processes. In his research, Cannon sought to identify which part of the brain was responsible for emotional responses, and he concluded that one region in the brain was especially involved in our emotional responses: the thalamus. The thalamus is a region of the brain that has connections to both the peripheral nervous system (the parts of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord) and cerebral cortex (which is involved in the processing of information). Cannon reviewed studies (including both research with laboratory animals, as well as human patients who had suffered brain damage) suggesting that the thalamus was crucial for experiencing emotions. In Cannon’s view, the thalamus was the part of the brain responsible for emotions, while the cortex was the part of the brain that sometimes suppressed or inhibited emotional responses. According to Cannon, patterns of activity in the thalamus â€Å"contribute glow and color to otherwise simply cognitive states.† Example Imagine you’re watching a scary movie, and you see a monster jump towards the camera. According to Cannon, this information (seeing and hearing the monster) would be transmitted to the thalamus. The thalamus would then produce both an emotional response (feeling afraid) and a physiological response (racing heartbeat and sweating, for example). Now imagine you’re trying not to let on that you’ve been scared. You might, for example, try to suppress your emotional reaction by telling yourself that it’s just a movie and the monster is merely a product of special effects. In this case, Cannon would say that your cerebral cortex was responsible for trying to suppress the emotional reaction of the thalamus. Cannon-Bard Theory vs. Other Theories of Emotion Another major theory of emotions is the Schachter-Singer theory, which was developed in the 1960s. The Schachter-Singer theory also sought to explain how different emotions can have the same set of physiological responses. However, the Schachter-Singer theory primarily focused on how people interpret the environment around them, rather than focusing on the role of the thalamus. Newer research on the neurobiology of emotion also allows us to evaluate Cannon’s claim about the role of the thalamus in emotions. While the limbic system (of which the thalamus is one part) is generally considered a key brain region for emotions, more recent research studies have found that emotions involve much more complicated patterns of brain activity than Cannon initially suggested. Sources and Additional Reading Brown, Theodore M., and Elizabeth Fee. â€Å"Walter Bradford Cannon: Pioneer Physiologist of Human Emotions.†Ã‚  American Journal of Public Health, vol. 92, no. 10, 2002, pp. 1594-1595. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447286/Cannon, Walter B. The James-Lange Theory of Emotions: A Critical Examination and an Alternative Theory.  The American Journal of Psychology, vol. 39, no. 1/4, 1927, pp. 106-124. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1415404Cherry, Kendra. â€Å"Understanding the Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion.†Ã‚  Verywell Mind  (2018, Nov. 1).  Keltner, Dacher, Keith Oatley, and Jennifer M. Jenkins.  Understanding Emotions. 3rd  ed., Wiley, 2013.  https://books.google.com/books/about/Understanding_Emotions_3rd_Edition.html?idoS8cAAAAQBAJVandergriendt, Carly. â€Å"What Is the Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion?†Ã‚  Healthline  (2017, Dec. 12).  https://www.healthline.com/health/cannon-bard

Domestic Violence Essay - 1590 Words

These days it is easy to read on the internet about a woman who has been beaten by her professional athlete husband or her boyfriend. Thousands of women are mistreated, or even murdered, each year and these deaths are increasing. However, although this is the main problem in our society,there are other kinds of domestic violence that not many people know but they have the same importance. In this essay I intent to give a definition of domestic violence and explain the main kinds of abuses.I will also suggest some possible solutions to diminish or to eliminate this problem and I will show some domestic indicators. I intend to argue some unhelpful behaviours and to finish I will discuss the effects of domestic violence in children. The†¦show more content†¦Sexual assault may or may not involve physical force. In 1985 in Victoria that rape in marriage was officially recognised as a crime. Many men still believe that they have the right to unlimited sexual access to their wives. Social abuse exists where the abuser prevents their partner from having any social contact, limiting what the partner does, whom they see, what they read, where they go etc. Social abuse is the constant monitoring and control of womens activities, outings and friendships. Finally, spiritual violence may be based on race, colour, or other forms of identification with that community. The result for the abused woman can be public humiliation and isolation from friends and other members of her family. I think that there are a lot of ways to diminish domestic violence and anybody can help to prevent. Some suggestions can be learn more about domestic violence yourself, how to recognise it, the laws relating to it and how to find help for a victim. If a woman tells you that she is being abused, believe her, and let her know that you do so. Take her fear seriously and ask how you can best support her, but respect her decision if she wishes to do nothing at this time. Dont allow jokes about domestic violence to be made in your presence. Support local services or groups helping people affected by the problem. Support domestic violence community education and training, and help advertiseShow MoreRelatedDomestic violence1229 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ 3/1/13 Domestic Violence Persuasive Essay Final Draft â€Å"Every year, in the United States there are over 3 million incidents of reported domestic violence. Every year, 4,000 victims of domestic violence are killed.† (Domestic Violence: Disturbing Facts about Domestic Violence). Domestic violence is a crime that is not just committed in the United States, but worldwide. This crime is committed every day, every hour, every minute, and every second. Anybody can be a victim or the abuser. ThisRead MoreDomestic Violence1340 Words   |  6 PagesDomestic Violence is a problem sweeping the nation. This problem can affect anyone from anywhere but is generally acting out upon children and adult women in abusive relationships. Domestic violence is emotionally and physically scarring for anyone involved, and as a result could take multiple intervention meetings to begin to understand the issue, alleviate the associated problems, and to assist the victim in getting back on his or her feet. The consequences of abuse include anxiety, d epressionRead MoreDomestic Violence2691 Words   |  11 Pagestowards domestic violence have changed considerably. Once, the only avenue that existed for victims of domestic violence was through criminal law. Today, all states of Australia have enacted various forms of domestic violence legislation to deal with this growing problem within our communities. The Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld) provides a broader and more contemporary definition of what constitutes domestic and family violence. 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EllenRead MoreDomestic Violence And Sexual Violence1237 Words   |  5 Pages1.0 Introduction Domestic violence or intimate partner violence can occur in any type of relationship. There are many types of domestic violence including; social, physical, emotional and spiritual. Domestic violence is all about one person wanting control and power over the other and it can be expressed in many ways. It can occur in more than one way such as; coercion, threats, intimidation, isolation, stalking, sexual abuse, and economic abuse. It can also be a single act or a pattern of behaviourRead MoreDomestic Abuse And Domestic Violence965 Words   |  4 PagesI chose to do the domestic survivors subculture I feel as if it was a great topic to focus on its going to reveal a lot of emotion. Domestic violence can happen to anyone. Domestic violence sometimes called battering is against the law. At first glance, it is hard to imagine why a victim of domestic violence would voluntarily remain in the relationship with the abuser. As you may know domestic violence doesn’t always start off as violence it starts off as in the form of love. The abuser feels asRead MoreThe Effects Of Violence On Domestic Violence1380 Words   |  6 Pagesobject to violence, because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent†, quoted by Mahatma Gandhi. Violence is defined as an unjust or unwarranted exertion of power or force to intentionally injure, damage, or destroy something or someone. Amongst the various types of violence, there is one in particular that has been causing an ongoing debate within societies across the world; this certain type of violence is known as domestic violence. Domestic violence, alsoRead MoreDomestic Violence And Sexual Violence1535 Words   |  7 Pageslifetime (Domestic Violence Statistics, 2015). The topic that will be studied with the paper is intimate partner violence or another term that can be used is domestic violence. Domestic violence or intimate partner violence is the systematic pattern or control or power perpetuated by one partner against another (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, n.d.). Throughout the paper the term domestic violence and intimate violence will be used interchangeably. The misconception is that domestic violence

The Difference Between Sissy And Bitzer Essay Example For Students

The Difference Between Sissy And Bitzer Essay Give me your definition of a horse, (Pg 3) says the eminently practical Mr. Thomas Gradgrind of Charles Dickens unforgettable novel, Hard Times. Can anybody really define a horse? Cecilia Jupe, also known as Sissy, was unable to answer this question because she was, well, normal. Bitzer, the boy brought up in Coketown, the city of facts, answered, Quadruped. Graminivorous. Forty teeth, namely, twenty-four grinders, four eye-teeth, and twelve incisive (Pg. 4). Clearly the contrast between Sissy and Bitzer can be seen. The differences between Bitzer and Sissy are shown not only in their definitions of a horse, but also in their physical appearance, personality, background, and the different philosophies that they each represent: fact and fancy. From the very beginning, Dickens had made it clear to the reader that Sissy represents fancy and Bitzer represents facts. He uses the two characters in many ways to portray the differences between fact and fancy. One way of doing this is describing Sissy and Bitzers physical appearance. Dickens has a tendency to make his characters physical appearance reflect their personalities. This is true for both Sissy and Bitzer. Sissy is described as vibrant and full of dark, rich colors. She glows with passion and kindness. Bitzer, on the other hand, is described as a very pale boy. He seems cold and emotionless, with light colored eyes and light colored hair. While Sissy seems to have an aura of goodness, Bitzer does not. He is emotionless. Even in the setting of a classroom, the differences in appearance between Sissy and Bitzer are apparent, for Sissy, being at the corner of a row on the sunny side, came in for the beginning of a sunbeam, of which Bitzer, being at the corner of a row on th e other side, a few rows in advance, caught the end. Sissy seemed to receive a deeper and more lustrous colour from the sun when it shone upon her, while the same sunbeam seem to draw out of him (Bitzer) what little colour he ever possessed (Pg. 3-4). The differences between Sissy and Bitzer are so evident that one must have been able to tell which philosophies that they each stand for. Throughout the course of the novel, Sissy and Bitzers actions help to describe what kind of personality they each have, which are also opposites of each other. Sissy is very emotional and never thinks only of herself. For example, when Sissys father abandons her, she does not cry for herself. Instead, she says, between sobs, O my dear father, my good kind father, where are you gone? You are gone to try to do me some good, I know! You are gone away for my sake, I am sure! And how miserable and helpless you will be without me, poor, poor Father, until you come back! (Pg. 35) and cries for her father rather than feel sorry for herself. She is so caring and compassionate that she always thinks the best of things. This is probably why Jane, the younger sister of Louisa and Tom, grew up much happier than her older siblings. She had been raised by the affectionate Sissy and treated like a human, unlike her older siblings, who had been raised more like robots by their father, Mr. Gradgrind. Bitzer, however, is completely different. He did not receive the love and the care the Sissy did. Because of this, it seems as though Bitzer has no heart (but of course he does, physically). He cares only for himself, even at the expense of others. Near the end of the novel, when Tom Gradgrind, Jr. (also known as the whelp) tries to escape from Coketown, who, other than Bitzer, is there to turn him in? In his own words, he says, I am going to take young Mr. Tom back to Coketown in order to deliver him over to Mr. Bounderby, for I have no doubt whatever that Mr. Bounderby will then promote me to young Mr. Toms situation (position) (Pg 267). Basically, he wished to pursue Tom, for it will be a rise to me, and will do me good (Pg 267). Bitzer has no heart and therefore cannot see that helping another human being is logical. He was raised under a utilitarian, or severely practical, form of education, which is the assumption that humans act only for their own self-interest. An interestin g contribution to Bitzers personality is where he was taught. Bitzers education was in the school of Mr. McChoakumchild, whose name has a disturbing connotation, as if his job was to choke the imagination out of the children. Bitzer had been raised and treated like a robot, and, as a result, he has the personality of a robot. Sissy and Bitzers personalities contribute to the two philosophies that Dickens is trying to point out. .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 , .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 .postImageUrl , .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 , .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8:hover , .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8:visited , .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8:active { border:0!important; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8:active , .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8 .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2bcbe33d0308cd4901c1f4477cac7fb8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Forecast Storms EssayThe main reason why Sissy and Bitzer act and think the way they do is because of how and where they were raised. Bitzer was raised in the labor-filled Coketown and had a utilitarian education, in which facts were stressed and nothing else in the world mattered except for ones self-interest. The children in the school where both Sissy and Bitzer attended was just a plane of little vessels then and there arranged in order, ready to have imperial gallons of facts poured into them until they were full to the brim (Pg. 2). Bitzers education consisted of facts, facts, and more facts. Nothing else was important and nothing else will ever be of any more import ance than facts. This way of growing up instilled in Bitzer the unpleasantness that expresses when he grows older. Sissy, however, was brought up in a circus. Her father had been a horse trainer and doctored horses. The circus represents the one thing that the school of facts resents: fancy. As Mr. McChoakumchild said, Aye, aye, aye! But you mustnt fancy. Thats it! You are never to fancy (Pg. 6). The ability to wonder, which was strictly forbidden in the Gradgrind household, was encouraged at the circus. It was how circus performers earned their living. Although Sissy was sent to live with Gradgrind, she was immune to his teachings of facts, facts, and more facts because she was raised in a circus. She had become kind of immune to that sort of teaching. Sissy was able to grow up happy and caring, full of imagination. This just goes to show that a childs surroundings will influence the way the kind of person they will become when they grow up. In this case, Dickens shows a child grow ing up with laughter and happiness and another child growing up with obedience and structure. It represents, once again, the two philosophies fact and fancy. As anyone can tell when they read Hard Time, the characters Sissy and Bitzer are not in the story just to make the novel more interesting. They are symbols for something greater: fact and fancy. Sissy represents the human nature because she is human. She was brought up and treated like a human so she has feelings like a human. Her vibrant colors, compassion, and friends from the circus help to enforce that kind of philosophy: fancy and imagination of the free will. Because Sissy had been raised like a human, she was able to do something that the kids from Coketown were forbidden to do: wonder. They could not use their imaginations, only what is proven is logical to them. Bitzer, however, represents the philosophy of facts and only facts. His actions, appearance, and training at Mr. McChoakumchilds school show what a person becomes when they follow that philosophy. He had become cold and hard, with not a single thought for anyone but his self-interest. Dickens uses these two character s to show the differences between the two philosophies and the consequences that following these philosophies may have. Through Bitzer and Sissy, the two different philosophies that each represent can be clearly seen: fact versus fancy. Bitzer has become a selfish person who does not care for anyone but himself. Sissy was the emotional center of the book because she was, practically, the only one that had real emotions from the very beginning. It can be distinguished which philosophy Dickens agrees with: fancy. He makes fact seem dull and dead, while making fancy seem colorful and full of life. Sissy is the kind of person that everyone would love, and Bitzer is someone that everybody would hate. Unmistakably, it is easy to tell which philosophy one would prefer. Maybe Bitzer ought to take a couple of lessons from Sissy.