What are emotions?

September 12, 2024

What are emotions?

Human emotions are mental states. Emotions are neuropsychological states produced by neural data processing in the brain. Emotions involve a subjective experience (input), a neuroactive response (processing), and a behavioral expression (output). Emotions are said to be the driving forces behind human cognition and behavior. The evolutionary role of emotions may be to help humans learn to predict pain and obtain pain relief based on past experiences. The appraisal theory of emotional processing states that people consider the importance of a stimulus differently, and therefore different people may experience different emotions than others even when faced with the same events. 

Classification of Emotions

The field of psychology classifies emotions as either primary (basic) or secondary (mixed or combined). Primary emotions are universal in all humans across of all times, regions, and cultures. Secondary emotions may vary by epoch, culture, and context. The general consensus in psychology is that there are seven primary or universal emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, contempt, and surprise. All other emotions are believed to be secondary or mixed and vary by region, epoch, or cultural context. Other classifications of emotions include utility (positive or negative), duration (short-lived or prolonged), and sensation (pleasant, unpleasant, neutral). 

Brain Regions Involved in Processing Emotions

Although the whole brain and the central nervous system is involved, the main regions studied in connection with emotions are the amygdala, hypothalamus, and prefrontal cortex. The amygdala assesses the environment for danger, processes fear responses, and stores emotional memories. The hypothalamus plays a key role in regulating emotions, integrating internal and external stimuli, and signaling the pituitary system and autonomic nervous system to trigger a physiological response (e.g. increased heart rate, shallow breathing, in response to fear) mediated by hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin. The prefrontal cortex is involved in decision-making for further or secondary emotional regulation. 

Seven Universal Emotions 

As stated previously, the general consensus in psychology is that there are seven "universal" emotions. These are emotions felt and expressed by almost all humans of standard behavioral health across all generations, regions, and cultures. Interestingly, out of the seven universal emotions, the vast majority (5) are negative or unpleasant. One universal emotion is positive or pleasant; and one is neutral or mixed. The five unpleasant emotions are: fear, anger, sadness, contempt, and disgust (FASDaC). The mixed or neutral emotion is surprise. The pleasant universal emotion is happiness. 

Below is a comprehensive list of all emotions, organized by sensation and utility. To some extent, all emotions can be seen as different levels of happiness as mediated by fear. Interestingly, the amount of common negative emotions (66) is double the amount of common positive emotions (33). 

Positive or Pleasant Emotions

1. Admiration: approving respect 
2. Affection: fondness or liking
3. Curiosity: desire to know 
4. Amusement: pleasant entertainment 
5. Bliss: intense joy
6. Compassion: sympathetic caring 
7. Confidence: self-assuring trust
8. Contentment: adequate satisfaction 
9. Courage: bravery in adversity
10. Eagerness: keen interest
11. Ecstasy: overwhelming joy
12. Elation: extreme joy
13. Empathy: subrogated feeling
14. Entrancement: captivating attention 
15. Euphoria: intense joy
16. Excitement: enthusiastic eagerness
17. Exhilaration: thrilling excitement
18. Gratitude: sincere thankfulness 
19. Hope: optimistic desire 
20. Inspiration: sparked motivation 
21. Fascination: intense attraction 
22. Jubilation: joyful celebration
23. Intrigue: captivating query  
24. Love: passionate or affectionate caring  
25. Pride: achievement recognition
26. Relief: effective relaxation 
27. Satisfaction: perceived fulfillment
28. Serenity: calmed peacefulness
29. Sympathy: caring concern 
30. Trust: confident reliance 
31. Vindication: satisfied righteousness 
32. Wonder: genuine amazement
33. Zeal: enthusiastic passion

Negative or Unpleasant Emotions [all can be related to fear as fear itself or as a sympton]

1. Agitation: nervous restlessness 
2. Alarm: danger alert 
3. Anger: active unhappiness 
4. Anxiety: anticipatory fear 
5. Apathy: deep indifference 
6. Bitterness: deep resentment 
7. Compunction: guilt 
8. Confusion: lack of understanding 
9. Contempt: scornful supremacy
10. Despair: hopelessness 
11. Desperation: deep hopelessness 
12. Disappointment: dissatisfaction 
13. Disdain: scornful contempt 
14. Disgust: aversive revulsion 
15. Distrust: lack of confidence 
16. Dread: anticipatory apprehension 
17. Embarrassment: social awkwardness 
18. Envy: resentment of perceived advantages 
19. Fear: unpleasant nervous activation 
20. Fearfulness: prolonged fear 
21. Forlornness: lonely sadness 
22. Frustration: annoyance 
23. Fury: fiery anger 
24. Grief: deep sorrow 
25. Guilt: remorseful regret 
26. Hate: passionate dislike 
27. Hostility: antagonistic opposition 
28. Humiliation: public shame 
29. Helplessness: pessimistic outlook 
30. Hesitation: indecision 
31. Homesickness: longing familiarity 
32. Hopelessness: resolute despair 
33. Hysteria: exaggerated emotion 
34. Incredulity: skeptical disbelief 
35. Indignation: perceived unfairness 
36. Infatuation: excessive attachment 
37. Insecurity: lack of confidence 
38. Irritation: slight anger 
39. Jealousy: relationship insecurity 
40. Loneliness: emptiness 
41. Lust: excessive desire 
42. Melancholy: reflective sadness 
43. Mortification: deep embarrassment 
44. Nostalgia: longing the past 
45. Overwhelm: emotional flood
46. Panic: frantic fear 
47. Pity: sorrowful compassion 
48. Rage: violent anger 
49. Regret: disappointing reassessment 
50. Reluctance: resolute unwillingness 
51. Remorse: deep regret  
52. Resentment: prolonged bitterness 
53. Sadness: passive unhappiness 
54. Sentimentality: excessive emotionality
55. Shame: humiliating distress 
56. Smugness: excessive pride 
57. Sorrow: deep distress 
58. Spite: desire to hurt  
59. Tenderness: gentle affection
60. Tension: mental strain
61. Triumph: joyful success
62. Unease: discomfort 
63. Unhappiness: happiness deficit 
64. Vulnerability: risk awareness 
65. Worry: fearful concern
66. Yearning: intense longing 

Neutral or Mixed Emotions (May be pleasant or unpleasant):

1. Ambivalence: mixed feelings 
2. Anticipation: expectation
3. Admiration: approving respect 
4. Astonishment: intense surprise 
5. Awe: genuine wonder  
6. Doubt: general uncertainty 
7. Resignation: resolute acceptance 
8. Skepticism: inquisitive disbelief
9. Surprise: unexpected shock
10. Surveillance (or vigilance): heightened caution

Not surprisingly, positive or pleasant emotions can be associated to happiness while negative or unpleasant emotions can be associated to unhappiness, both mediated by the presence or absence of fear. As for mixed emotions, these can turn into either happiness or unhappiness depending on how the brain interpret the circumstances. 

Regional and Cultural Influences

The way emotions are expressed, understood, and categorized can vary greatly across different cultures. Some cultures have unique emotional concepts that are difficult to translate directly into other languages or cultural contexts. These cultural variations are shaped by social norms, values, religious beliefs, and historical influences.

Here are some culturally specific emotions or emotional tendencies in various regions:

Japan

Japan has unique emotional concepts influenced by its collectivist society, harmony, and hierarchical social structure:

1. Amae (甘え): A feeling of indulgent dependence, where one expects unconditional love or care from others, especially from those in close relationships.
2. Giri (義理): A sense of duty or moral obligation, often tied to fulfilling social expectations and obligations.
3. Haji (恥): Shame or embarrassment, deeply ingrained in social interactions where public image and conformity to group expectations are important.
4. Mono no Aware (物の哀れ): A sensitivity to the transient nature of things, a kind of wistful melancholy over impermanence and the beauty of ephemerality.

China

Chinese culture, influenced by Confucianism and social harmony, emphasizes relational emotions and self-control:

1. Yuan (缘): A sense of fate or destiny that brings people together or shapes life events, often associated with relationships and interpersonal connections.
2. Bao (报): Retribution or moral balancing, linked to the idea that good or bad deeds will eventually be repaid.
3. Lian (脸) and Mianzi (面子): Concepts of face, which refer to social reputation and dignity. Losing face (shame) and saving face (maintaining dignity) are critical in Chinese social interactions.

India

In India, emotions are influenced by religious, familial, and social systems. Concepts often derive from Hinduism and spiritual beliefs:

1. Bhakti (भक्ति): Devotion, particularly religious devotion and deep emotional attachment to a deity, common in Hinduism.
2. Shanti (शांति): Inner peace or tranquility, a state of mental calmness and serenity, often valued in Indian philosophy.
3. Shraddha (श्रद्धा): A sense of reverence, faith, or respect, often in the context of religion or toward elders.
4. Viraha (विरह): The longing or emotional pain caused by separation from a loved one, especially in romantic or spiritual contexts.

Muslim World

The Muslim world, influenced by Islamic values, places strong emphasis on emotions related to morality, faith, and community:

1. Haya (حياء): Modesty or shame, particularly in behavior and dress, deeply connected to Islamic morality and social behavior.
2. Taqwa (تقوى): Fear of God, or piety, a feeling of reverence, mindfulness, and self-restraint due to an awareness of divine presence.
3. Sabr (صبر): Patience or endurance, especially in the face of adversity, considered a virtuous emotion in Islamic teachings.
4. Gheerah (غيرة): A protective jealousy, often in the context of family honor and relationships, especially between spouses.

Germany

Germany’s emotional tendencies are shaped by values such as structure, responsibility, and directness:

1. Schadenfreude: Pleasure derived from another’s misfortune, often viewed as a socially inappropriate but recognizable emotion.
2. Weltschmerz: A sense of melancholy or sadness over the perceived inadequacies or suffering of the world.
3. Gemütlichkeit: A sense of coziness, warmth, and friendliness, often linked to social gatherings and comfortable atmospheres.

Scandinavia

In Scandinavian cultures, emotions are often shaped by the cultural emphasis on equality, simplicity, and social welfare:

1. Janteloven: Not exactly an emotion, but a cultural concept that discourages standing out or boasting. The associated emotions might include modesty and humility.
2. Hygge: A feeling of coziness, comfort, and contentment, particularly in social settings, celebrated in Denmark and Norway.
3. Lagom: A Swedish concept of moderation, meaning "just the right amount." The emotion related to lagom is a balanced contentment.

Africa

African cultures, diverse in themselves, have emotions that often emphasize community, spirituality, and collective well-being:

1. Ubuntu: A Southern African concept that encapsulates the feeling of shared humanity, compassion, and interconnectedness. It is often described as "I am because we are."
2. Sankofa: A West African emotion tied to the idea of returning to one's roots and learning from the past to better the future.
3. Nyama: In some West African cultures (like the Bambara), this refers to a mystical life force that animates the universe, with emotions connected to reverence for the spiritual world.

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While all humans experience basic emotions like fear, anger, sadness, and happiness, the interpretation, expression, and social significance of emotions vary widely across cultures. Emotions like amae (Japan), ubuntu (Africa), or haya (Muslim world) are examples of culturally specific emotions that are shaped by the unique values and social structures of their respective societies.

FAITH and Emotions

"FAITH" is one of our original creations at Creatix. The concept stands for "facts are irrelevant to happiness" (FAITH). As far as we know this phrase and program, FAITH, is 100% a Creatix original. Please let us know if you know otherwise. In any event, the FAITH concept applies to all emotions. While external events tend to be correlated to certain emotions, it's ultimately the data processing within each individual brain what produces the emotional output. 

The same event can be turned into different emotional output. Like beauty, emotions are in the brains of beholders. Certain events statistically correspond to certain emotions (e.g. death and grief; birth with happiness; losing with unhappiness; winning with happiness; etc.) However, each individual brain may process the same event into a different emotion or different set of emotions. For example, the death of a political figure may bring grief to some and joy to others. Even the death of a loved one may bring joy to a close relative depending on the meaning assigned to the death (e.g. eternal rest in peace; relieve of duties; incoming inheritance; etc.).

Learning more about emotions is essential in your flourishing journey. Emotions are the mental states that greatly influence, if not totally control, most of the cognitive functions (conscious and unconscious) in your brain and the collective human mind. Humans are emotional creatures. Emotions come first, thoughts and rationalizations follow.

Now you know a little bit more about emotions. Fact check this post to make sure that it meets your knowledge acquisition standards. 

Live well. Die better. Enjoy.

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