ETS Psychology Practice Test 2025 - Free Psychology Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Cannon-Bard theory is the correct choice as it posits that emotional experiences and physiological responses occur simultaneously and independently. This theory was developed to address the limitations of earlier theories that suggested an order of events, such as the belief that physiological arousal must occur before an emotional response. According to Cannon-Bard, when an emotional stimulus is encountered, the thalamus in the brain sends signals simultaneously to the body (to trigger physiological arousal) and to the brain (to generate the emotional experience). This highlights that the feeling of emotion and the physical reaction are not dependent on one another but occur at the same time.

In contrast, the James-Lange theory suggests that an emotional experience stems from the awareness of physiological reactions. Here, a person first experiences a physiological response, and then identifies that response as an emotion. The Two-factor theory introduces the idea that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling of that arousal, indicating that both factors are necessary but implying a sequence of events. Behavioral theory, on the other hand, focuses on observable behavior rather than emotional processes or bodily feelings, making it less relevant in this context.