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Psychology / Unit 9   Psych 1024 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Cannon-Bard Theory

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The idea

The Cannon-Bard theory holds that physiological arousal and the conscious experience of emotion occur simultaneously and independently.

In practice

On this account, the racing heart and the felt fear begin together, neither causing the other.

Where people slip

Simultaneity is hard to establish and hard to refute, which limits what the theory predicts.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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