Emotion

We explain what an emotion is, what its function is and what the primary and secondary emotions are. Also, the differences with feelings.

What is an emotion?

an emotion is a reaction that people experience in response to a stimulus, event, or situation. It is a psychological and physiological phenomenon that manifests itself in behavior, body perceptions and consciousness, as an adaptive reaction to an important stimulus. It is an impulse that generates a tendency to action.Time

Emotions are complex and diverse. involve three types of factors: physiological, behavioral and cognitive. For example, a person who feels fear experiences tachycardia (physiological factor), changes his facial expression and tone of voice (behavioral factor) and describes what happens to him as unpleasant (cognitive factor).

Although they are often confused, emotions are different from feelings. The latter are more durable and stable over time and are the consequence of a cognitive elaboration of emotions, that is, a reflection, which implies a subjective interpretation. For example, a person who receives good news experiences joy (emotion). Then she reflects on it and feels optimistic and proud (feelings).

The emotions that are common to all human beings, and even to many animals, are known as “primary emotions.” In turn, when combined, they result in “secondary emotions”, which are more complex and closer to the concept of feeling. For example, surprise and sadness make up disappointment.

See also: Emotional intelligence

Types of emotions

There are different theories that try to classify emotions. One of the most widespread is that established by psychologist Paul Eckman (1934), who proposed the existence of six basic emotions. However, differences have been observed between how each culture names and experiences emotions, which is why there is a tendency to differentiate between primary and secondary emotions.

Basic or primary emotions

Basic or primary emotions are universal and seem to be biologically inscribed in human beings. There is a certain consensus that the basic emotions are:

• Happiness. It is a pleasant state that generates well-being and satisfaction. For example, a child receiving a gift at Christmas.
• Anger It arises in a hostile or aggressive situation. It drives you to protect yourself or face certain situations. For example, a person who is insulted in public.
• Fear It is a fight or flight response. It causes physiological reactions, such as muscle tension or increased sweating. For example, someone being chased by a huge, rabid dog.
• Sadness It is a state characterized by hopelessness and lack of motivation. For example, a person who loses a loved one.
• Surprise It arises from an unexpected event. It can be pleasant or unpleasant, depending on what causes it and the person experiencing it. For example, a person who is amazed by a magic trick.
• Disgust It is a feeling of repulsion that causes rejection. It can arise from a taste, an image or a tactile sensation. For example, someone tasting a rotten fruit.

Secondary emotions

Secondary emotions are not present in all cultures. They arise from the combination of different aspects of primary emotions and manifest themselves according to learned social, cultural and personal codes. However, in them there will always be vestiges of the primary emotions that gave birth to them.

Secondary emotions are more complex and intellectually refined, and have an important cultural and traditional component. In this sense, can be understood as feelings.

Robert Plutchik (1927-2006) proposed a model known as the “wheel of emotions”, in which he established eight basic emotions and different combinations between them.

Some secondary emotions are:

• Disappointment It results from the combination of surprise and sadness.
• Optimism. It results from the combination of joy and anticipation.
• Alarm. It results from the combination of fear and surprise.
• Love. It results from the combination of joy and confidence.
• Submission. It results from the combination of trust and fear.

Besides, each basic emotion has a varying intensity that is, it can be more or less powerful, allowing a wide diversity of secondary emotions.

What are emotions for?

Emotions are intense and brief responses to pleasant or unpleasant stimuli. lead to action and are part of the learning and communication processes. Its main functions are:

• Adaptation Emotions quickly prepare people to deal with the experiences that arise. For example, fear alerts us to possible danger; Joy reinforces positive actions.
• Communication. The physical and behavioral expressions of emotions are indicators of people's state, intentions, and needs. This allows us to empathize and improve communication. For example, sadness manifests itself in tears and facial expressions that are quickly recognized by others, and that move them toward empathy and compassion.
• Motivation. Emotions motivate certain behaviors or actions. For example, anticipation promotes organization to achieve a goal; sadness can generate an apathetic attitude.

Differences between emotions and feelings

There are certain differences between emotions and feelings, even though both words are often used synonymously in colloquial language.

On the one hand, Basic emotions are deep and transitory reactions which not only alter the psyche, but also trigger physiological responses from the body. For its part, Feelings are the fruit of the rational perception of emotions that is, they occur when we reflect on emotions, and therefore represent a more stable experience.

For example, anger is a very powerful primary emotion: it flows quickly, impacts the body and behavior, and tends to disappear when the stimulus that triggered it is extinguished. Then, it is possible that when reasoning about what happened, a feeling of guilt appears for the way in which one reacted.

References

• Goleman, D. (1995). emotional intelligence. Kairos.
• Morris, C. G and Maisto AA (2014). Introduction to psychology. Pearson.
• Royal Spanish Academy. (sf). Emotion. Dictionary of the Spanish language. https://dle.rae.es