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