Running head: CHECKPOINT: EMOTIONS 1

CheckPoint: Emotions

Tiffany Nicole Cooper

University of Phoenix

PSY

240

Jwaundace Belcher

February 07, 2011

 CheckPoint: Emotions

Darwin: Darwin’s theory suggested that; emotions in all humans and in other species derive

from the theory of evolution. This theory was made up of three main ideas; 1. Expressions

emotions evolved from behaviors that show what the animal or human are most likely to do next.

2. If the behavioral signals are useful to the animal or human, then they will evolve to increase

their communicative behavior, and sometimes forgetting the original behavior all together. 3.

The opposing messages are recurrently communicated through the opposite behavior (this is

known to be the principle of antithesis).

James-Lange: The James-Lange theory suggests that the autonomic nervous system's

response of the flight or fight response, and an increased heartbeat response were the foundation

of emotional feelings, instead of actual emotional feelings triggering those responses. This theory

does not hold up very well to analysis because there are patients that have lost their autonomic

and somatic feedback due to a major injury (such as a broken neck), or loss of the nervous

systems’ feedback. With this emotion is the result of one's perception of their reaction or bodily

changes.

Cannon-Bard: The Cannon-Bard theory takes the James-Lange theory, builds more on it, and

alters it as well. The Cannon-Bard theory suggests that that the experience of emotion and the

expression of emotions were two separate actions, yet they had equal responses that were caused

by the brain’s feelings of the emotions and the autonomic and somatic nervous system's

expression. However, one does not initiate or directly cause the other. This theory does not hold

up to analysis as well due to some reports that have shown the autonomic and somatic nervous
systems' response to emotional stimulus can affect the experience of emotions. It suggest that

there is no mechanism to emotion.

Limbic System: A man named “Papez” suggested that the limbic system plays a major role in

the perception and feeling of emotion. The limbic system is comprised of the amygdale,

cingulated gyrus cortex, fornix, hippocampus, hypothalamus, mammillary body, and olfactory

bulb. Papez believed that the limbic system's influence on the hypothalamus dictates how

emotions are expressed through their impact on the cortex. The limbic system theory is

supported by the Kluver-Bucy syndrome. The Kluver-Bucy syndrome happens when damage

occurs to the Amygdala (part of the limbic system) causing patients to be more fearless,

hypersexual, and more inclined to explore objects with mouth.