Question

Jacob notices a snake slithering up the river bank while he is fishing. The thalamus of Jacob's brain immediately stimulates his autonomic nervous system, which in turn, increases the rate of his breathing and heartbeat. At the same time, Jacob's brain sends signals to his cerebral cortex which causes Jacob to perceive the emotional experience of fear. Consequently, Jacob experiences both fear and the physiological changes in his body at the same time. This scenario complies with the principle of the _____

A. James-Lange theory
B. Cannon-Bard theory
C. TWO-factor theory
D. drive reduction theory

Answer 1

Jacob's experience aligns with the Cannon-Bard theory, which states that physiological arousal and emotional experiences occur simultaneously and independently, and not sequentially as suggested by the James-Lange theory or with a cognitive labeling component as in the two-factor theory.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct option is B:

The principle that Jacob's scenario complies with is the Cannon-Bard theory. Jacob experiences both the physiological changes and the emotional experience of fear at the same time, which is the hallmark of the Cannon-Bard theory.When Jacob notices the snake, his thalamus stimulates his autonomic nervous system, which increases his breathing and heartbeat. At the same time, signals are sent to his cerebral cortex, causing him to perceive the emotional experience of fear. As a result, Jacob experiences both fear and the physiological changes in his body at the same time, in line with the Cannon-Bard theory.

The James-Lange theory suggests that emotions result from physiological arousal; you first have physical responses, and then you feel the corresponding emotion. Conversely, the Cannon-Bard theory posits that physiological arousal and emotional experiences occur simultaneously but independently. The two-factor theory, or Schachter-Singer theory, adds a cognitive component and posits that you label the physiological arousal based on the context, which then results in the emotion.