Comparing Hi-Lang Theory And Joseph Ledoux's Model Of Fear

Sean, your thread wowed me! I am so taken back by your attention to detail! I rarely use an exclamation point when writing, but wow! I neglected to be more precise concerning my findings and my hypothesis. I too experienced a lack of interest and enthusiasm by particularly the older participants. I placed my twin granddaughters in opposing groups. Ann was in B and she was not a happy camper; however, Gwen was in A. Gwen had a smile on her face and said, “Mema, you know that song you listen to a lot, I love the flower girl (The Rain, The Park, and Other Things by the Cowsills), well I heard that in my mind while I was smiling with the pencil in my mouth. Kids are so terrific!

In regards to hypotheses, the James-Lang theory and the Cannon-Bard theory is partially correct; however, I subscribe to the Joseph LeDoux’s dual-pathway model of fear. According to this model of fear, the brain uses two pathways to process fear messages. In the example of walking in the woods and seeing a curved object in the bush, LeDoux posits that:

Fear messages are first processed in the thalamus and then branch off along two different pathways. One pathway, a “low road,”

goes directly to the amygdala, bypassing the higher thinking centers of the brain. The amygdala triggers a fear response that has multiple components. A “high road” leads the cerebral cortex, where the message is interpreted more carefully (‘Relax; it’s only a stick, not a snake’) (Nevid, 2015).
According to Zajonc’s studies and LeDoux’s dual-pathway model, emotions may precede cognitions under some conditions. How we gauge events also depends on what the events mean to us individually.
My cross to bear is dark, small spaces (due to childhood trauma).

For example, elevators, small rooms without windows, driving in a small car at night, or restroom facilities on airplanes create anxiety. Since my anxiety is alleviated when the end result is received with the all is well outcome, I would assign this to LeDoux’s dual-pathway model of fear. I would assign my worst fear to the Cannon-Bard theory because I fear this and react profoundly. I avoid being a passenger when traveling by car. I have been involved in several car accidents in which none was my fault. As a passenger, when I see a car coming toward the car I am in or when turning left at a light, I literally freeze; consequently, my heart races, my body stiffens, at times I have fainted, and often I am in a state of absolute

terror.

In conclusion, Sean thank you for an extremely methodical, detail oriented thread. We both are in agreement, that God created us in His image, in His likeness to have emotions and feelings like He has. We are all sons and daughters of God and He wants us to feel the multitude of emotions that He included in our DNA. All we need to do if we want to know how God expressed His emotions would be to look at the life of Jesus Christ. Emotions are windows to the soul. All emotions, positive or painful, open doors to the nature of reality and vocalize the inner working of our souls. The Psalmist understood that emotionality is the one aspect of our inner personality purposely referenced, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (NIV, Psalm 139:13).