Top down

In class we learned about the different theories about emotions and the corresponding physiological effects. We learned that the only top down functioning was any responses that are caused by memories or biofeedback. I disagree with this and think that all responses are top down because they first require the human brain to interpret the input then there is a physiological response followed by and emotional label. You can see this with the way that babies act. If a baby falls over they look at you to see how you respond. If you freak out the baby will start crying because from the way you reacted they interpreted this was the correct way to respond. You can also see this with people that have "mental disorders". Schizophrenics for example may interpret what we see as empty space as a person being there commonly called hallucinations. They therefor have a different response to it.