Emotions are complex physical and mental states resulting from neurophysiological changes, closely linked to thoughts, feelings, behavioral responses, and an experience of pleasure or displeasure.
These emotions are often intertwined with mood, temperament, personality, disposition, and creativity.
Psychologists typically categorize human emotions into what are known as primary or basic emotions, which are considered universal across cultures. Emotions are an innate aspect of the human experience.
The most widely accepted basic emotions include:
Happiness/Joy-Associated with pleasure, contentment, and well-being. Sadness-Linked to loss, disappointment, and feelings of helplessness. Fear-Triggered by perceived threats and danger. Anger-Arises from frustration, feelings of injustice, or threats. Disgust-A response to things we find repulsive or offensive. Surprise-A reaction to unexpected events.
These primary emotions can combine to create more complex emotional states, such as jealousy, pride, anxiety, love, and nostalgia.
Emotions can be defined as experiences that are either positive or negative, characterized by a specific pattern of physiological activity.
They encompass several components: subjective experience, cognitive processes, expressive behavior, psychophysiological changes, and instrumental behavior.
Typically, an emotion includes a subjective, conscious experience along with psychophysiological expressions, biological reactions, and mental states.
However, the classification of basic emotions like anger and sadness varies across cultures, and these concepts are not universally understood.
The inability to express or perceive emotions is known as alexithymia.
In essence, emotions are strong feelings arising from one’s circumstances, moods, or relationships with others.
They represent responses to significant internal and external events and can manifest as instantaneous occurrences, such as panic, or more stable dispositions, such as hostility.
Emotions can be fleeting (e.g., anger) or enduring (e.g., grief).
Ultimately, all emotions play a crucial role in shaping the human experience.