Psychology2016

380 CHAPTER 9

cortex and were cited as a criticism of the James-Lange theory, seem at first to support

the Cannon-Bard version of emotions: People do not need feedback from those organs to

experience emotion. However, there is an alternate pathway that does provide feedback

from these organs to the cortex; this is the vagus nerve, one of the cranial nerves (LeDoux,

1994). The existence of this feedback pathway makes the case for Cannon-Bard a little less

convincing.

THE FACIAL FEEDBACK HYPOTHESIS: SMILE, YOU’LL FEEL BETTER In his 1898 book The

Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, Charles Darwin stated that facial expres-

sions evolved as a way of communicating intentions, such as threat or fear, and that these

expressions are universal within a species rather than specific to a culture. He also believed

(as in the James-Lange theory) that when such emotions are expressed freely on the face,

the emotion itself intensifies—meaning that the more one smiles, the happier one feels.

Psychologists proposed a theory of emotion that was consistent with much of

Darwin’s original thinking. Called the facial feedback hypothesis, this explanation

assumes that facial expressions provide feedback to the brain concerning the emotion

being expressed, which in turn not only intensifies the emotion but also actually causes

the emotion (Buck, 1980; Ekman, 1980; Ekman & Friesen, 1978; Keillor et al., 2002).

(See Figure 9. 11 .)

Does that mean that I don’t smile because I’m happy—I’m happy

because I smile?

As the old song goes, “put on a happy face” and yes, you’ll feel happier, according

to the facial feedback hypothesis. One study does cast some doubt on the validity of this

Figure 9.10 Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion

In the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion, a stimulus leads to activity in the brain, which then sends signals

to arouse the body and interpret the emotion at the same time.

FEAR

Cannon-Bard

theory

“I’m shaking and feeling

afraid at the same time.”

Snarling dog

Subcortical

brain activity Conscious fear

ANS arousal,

changes in body

Stimulus First response Second response

facial feedback hypothesis
theory of emotion that assumes that
facial expressions provide feedback
to the brain concerning the emotion
being expressed, which in turn causes
and intensifies the emotion.

Figure 9.11 Facial Feedback Theory of Emotion

In the facial feedback theory of emotion, a stimulus such as this snarling dog causes arousal and a facial

expression. The facial expression then provides feedback to the brain about the emotion. The brain then

interprets the emotion and may also intensify it.

Facial

feedback

theory

"The fearful expression

on my face enhances

my sense of being afraid."

ANS

arousal

in face

Facial

expression

Cognitive

interpretation

of face

motions

Stimulus First response Second response

FEAR