What does the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion suggest about emotional experience?

The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion posits that emotional experiences and physiological reactions occur simultaneously and independently in response to a stimulus. This means that when an individual encounters an emotional stimulus, such as a threatening situation, the brain processes the emotion and triggers a physical response at the same time rather than one causing the other. Therefore, the correct understanding is that emotions can be experienced alongside physical reactions, but they do not rely on one another to occur.

While the response may seem like emotions could be happening first, the key idea of the Cannon-Bard theory is that both emotions and physical reactions are activated simultaneously. In contrast, the other options either suggest a linear relationship between emotion and physical response, mischaracterize the relationship, or undermine the complexity of emotional experience. For instance, the idea that physical reactions are irrelevant overlooks the integral role bodily responses play in the broader experience of emotion, while stating emotions are solely based on external factors fails to acknowledge internal cognitive processes involved in emotional responses.