Question

Researchers conduct an experiment to test the Cannon-Bard theory of emotional arousal. A simulated car crash is used in which the subjects were shown video of an oncoming vehicle. Which of the following results best supports the Cannon-Bard theory?

1) Subject spots oncoming vehicle ‡’ Subject feels fear ‡’ Subject heart rate rises
2) Subject spots oncoming vehicle ‡’ Subject feels fear and subject heart rate rises
3) Subject spots oncoming vehicle ‡’ Subject heart rate rises ‡’ Subject feels fear
4) Subject feels fear ‡’ Subject heart rate rises ‡’ Subject thinks "I am afraid"

Answer 1

The best result that supports the Cannon-Bard theory is option 2) Subject spots oncoming vehicle ‡’ Subject feels fear and subject heart rate rises.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion suggests that physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously, yet independently. In the experiment you described, the best result that supports the Cannon-Bard theory is option 2) Subject spots oncoming vehicle ‡’ Subject feels fear and subject heart rate rises. According to the theory, when the subjects spotted the oncoming vehicle, they felt fear and their heart rate rose at the same time, supporting the idea that physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously.