Characteristics of Emotion
Emotions are key parts of how we feel and act, and has several key characteristics that define and distinguish them as complex psychological phenomena. Some of these are:
- Common to All: Basic feelings like joy, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust are felt by people everywhere, showing that some emotions are universal.
- Complexity: Emotions can be simple (like happiness or sadness) or complex (like jealousy or gratitude). They often involve a blend of different feelings and can change over time.
- Adaptive Function: Emotions serve evolutionary purposes, helping individuals respond to environmental challenges and opportunities. For example, fear can trigger a fight-or-flight response, while love can promote bonding and social cohesion.
- Cognitive Appraisal: Emotions involve a mental evaluation of a situation or event, interpreting its significance and meaning. This appraisal influences the type and intensity of the emotion experienced.
- Varying Strength: Emotions can be strong or weak. For example, a little annoyance versus a lot of anger, or a bit of sadness versus deep sorrow.
- Caused by Things: Emotions are usually sparked by something, whether it’s something happening around us or thoughts and memories.
- Body Changes: When we feel emotions, our bodies react too—our heart rate might go up, we might start sweating, or our hormone levels might change.
- Showing Feelings: Emotions make us express ourselves in different ways, like smiling, scowling, or shouting can show others how we’re feeling.
- Thinking it Through: How we think about what’s causing our emotions really affects how we feel. Our understanding of the situation can change our emotional response.
- Personal Feelings: Everyone feels emotions differently, influenced by their past, who they are, and what’s happening around them.