According to the Cannon-Bard Theory, how are emotional feelings and physiological reactions experienced?

The Cannon-Bard Theory posits that emotional feelings and physiological reactions occur simultaneously rather than sequentially or as a result of cognitive appraisal. According to this theory, when an emotional stimulus is perceived, the thalamus sends signals both to the brain to create the feeling of emotion and to the body to elicit the physiological response at the same time.

This theory challenges earlier notions that physiological responses preceded emotional experiences or that cognitive appraisal was necessary before emotions could be felt. The simultaneous experience means that both the emotional and physiological responses happen concurrently, leading to a more integrated understanding of how emotions manifest in both the mind and body. Therefore, the correct understanding of the Cannon-Bard Theory is that emotional feelings and physiological responses are experienced together, reinforcing the complex interplay between our feelings and physical states.