The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion proposes that when sensory information (like seeing a bear) reaches the brain, the thalamus acts as a central relay station. It simultaneously sends signals to two key areas:
This simultaneous transmission means the emotional feeling and the physical reaction occur at the same time, rather than one after the other, as proposed by other theories like James-Lange.
Therefore, the theory stating the thalamus sends sensory information to the cortex and sympathetic organs at the same time is the Cannon-Bard theory.