Kennon's Emotion Theory - Barda

Walter Bradford Kennon (1871-1945) was a physiologist at Harvard University , who is best known for his classic treatise on hemostasis. ^[1] Philip Bard (1898-1977) was a graduate student of Kennon, and together they developed an emotion model called the Kennon-Bard theory ^[2] . Kennon was an experimenter who relied on studies of animal physiology. Through these studies, Kennon and Bard emphasized the role of the brain in the generation of physiological responses and feelings; a role that is important in explaining experience and production.

The dominant theory of emotions during Kennon was James-Lange 's theory of emotions , and Kennon acknowledged that testing this theory required an emotional expression without visceral feedback. This was necessary because the relationship between visceral changes and the feedback needed to stimulate brain emotions would no longer be present. ^[3] . To do this, Kennon experimented with the separation of afferent nerves of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system in cats. Kennon compiled his experimental results in 1915, and then improved and expanded them, and finally proposed his model of emotions as a challenge and alternative to the James-Lange theory of emotions.

The James-Lange theory relies on a reverse flow of impulses from the periphery to make up unique emotional cases; the impulses that William James suggested come from all parts of the body, including muscles, skin, and internal organs . James attributed to the internal organs the main role. They consist of smooth muscles and glands. Kennon identified and identified 5 questions with the concept of the James – Lange theory from the vasomotor center as an explanation of emotional experience ^[4] .

• The complete separation of the viscera from the central nervous system does not alter emotional behavior.

In the experiment, cats were alive and well after removing their sympathetic nervous system. Removal of this system led to the abolition of all reactions under the control of the vasomotor center. It was found that the destruction of these functions had practically no effect on the emotional reactions of animals

• The same visceral changes occur in a variety of emotional states and in non-emotional states.

The sympathetic functions of the nervous system as a whole. Visceral changes caused by the sympathetic nervous system include: an increase in heart rate; arterioles contraction; dilatation of bronchioles; high blood sugar; sweating dilated pupils. These physiological changes can be seen under any circumstances, including various emotional states such as fear and anger, as well as situations of fever, asphyxiation, and low temperature.

• Internal organs are relatively insensitive structures.

Kennon wrote that there is a belief that the deeper the body penetrated, the more sensitive it becomes; However, it is not. For example, we are not aware of the reduction and relaxation of digestive processes.

William James claimed that there were either special centers for brain processes that accompany emotions, or they took place in the center of the cerebral cortex. Kennon believed that there could not be one or the other, that there could be cortical processes and special centers that accompany emotional reactions. He highlighted two ideas regarding the existence of two sources of brain processes of emotions.

Emotional expression is the result of the action of subcortical centers

Kennon summarized the research conducted by Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev regarding emotional expression. In this study, it was suggested that emotional expression should be independent of the cerebral cortex because expression of emotions cannot always be suppressed or controlled (e.g. tickling laughter) because visceral changes occur independently of our control, and because these reactions, which cannot be suppressed, are observed shortly after birth, before cortical control develops.

According to Kennon, an external stimulus activates receptors , and this excitation leads impulses to the cerebral cortex. Upon arrival in the cerebral cortex, impulses are associated with conditioned processes that determine the direction of the subsequent reaction. It is these reactions that stimulate the processes of the thalamus. A key component of the Kennon-Bard theory is that bodily changes occur almost simultaneously with emotional experience. These bodily changes and emotional experiences arise individually and independently; physiological arousal does not have to precede the expression of emotions and experience. Kennon summarizes the observations that are the basis for his theory of emotions. Firstly, after the brain is removed from the thalamus, animals continue to show anger as an emotional reaction. These reactions stop when the thalamus is removed. Secondly, a tumor on one side of the thalamus can lead to laughter or grimace under special conditions, but the control of these muscles is bilateral. Temporary deterioration of the cortical control of the lower centers from mild amnesia or, for example, a tumor can cause uncontrolled and prolonged crying or laughter.

• Friedman, BH (2010). "Feelings and the body: The Jamesian perspective on autonomic specificity of emotion." Biological Psychology. 84: 383–393
• Dalgleish, T. (2004). "The emotional brain." Nature Reviews Neuroscience. 5 (7): 582-589
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• Cannon, WB (1927). "The James-Lange theory of emotions: A critical examination and an alternative theory." The American Journal of Psychology. 39: 106–124

1. James, W .; CG Lange (1922). The emotions. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins Co.
2. Langley, JN; HK Anderson (1894). "The constituents of the hypogastric nerves." Journal of Physiology. 17: 185
3. Mesulam, M (2000). Principles of cognitive and behavioral neurology (Second ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
4. Bechterev, W. (1887). "Die bedeutung der sehhugel auf grund von experimentellen und pathologischen daten." Virchows Archiv. 110