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Cannon-Bard vs Schachter-Singer: Emotion Theories Compared
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Cannon-Bard: a stimulus triggers physiological arousal and the feeling of emotion at the same time, in parallel, through the thalamus. Schachter-Singer (two-factor): arousal comes first, then you label it using the situation, and the label decides the emotion.
Side by side
| Theory | Order | Key idea |
|---|---|---|
| James-Lange | Stimulus, arousal, emotion | Emotion is the perception of body changes |
| Cannon-Bard | Stimulus, arousal and emotion together | Same arousal can go with different emotions |
| Schachter-Singer | Stimulus, arousal, cognitive label, emotion | Context interprets arousal |
Example
You hear a loud noise at night. Cannon-Bard: heart pounding and fear start together. Schachter-Singer: heart pounding, you note you are alone in a dark house, you label it fear. In a crowded concert the same arousal is labelled excitement.
Related ideas
The Lazarus theory says appraisal comes before arousal. The facial feedback hypothesis says expression changes feeling.
Common traps
- Calling Cannon-Bard sequential. It is simultaneous.
- Forgetting the label step. Schachter-Singer requires a cognitive interpretation.
- Mixing up James-Lange. There the body response comes before the feeling.
One-minute recap
- Cannon-Bard: parallel. Schachter-Singer: arousal plus label.
- James-Lange: body first.
- Lazarus: appraisal first.
Check yourself: 5-question mini-quiz
1. Which theory says arousal and emotion occur simultaneously?
Cannon-Bard.
2. What is the second factor in Schachter-Singer?
The cognitive label given to the arousal.
3. Which theory puts physiological change before the emotion with no label step?
James-Lange.
4. Which brain structure does Cannon-Bard emphasize?
The thalamus.
5. Which theory puts appraisal before arousal?
Lazarus.
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