Emotions are a package of three elements: expressive movements of the face and voice, changes in the bodily, functional state of the body and internal, emotional experiences. Each of these elements has its own function. What?
- Instant restructuring of the body for the tasks that have arisen
The most ancient part of emotions is a change in the functional state of the body. To fight, you need adrenaline, to think, you need peace. An almost instantaneous change in the functional state of the body to the circumstances that surround us helps us to act more efficiently, and sometimes saves our lives. See →
- Signals of Ancient Wisdom
Emotional reflexes do not just reconfigure the body, they also make smart people think. Emotions slipped — pay attention, this is a reaction to what? What is she signaling? Yes, emotions are not always very wise, just like old people are not always sources of ancient wisdom, but sometimes their signals are useful. In a number of simple situations, emotions are simplistic, but quickly and automatically signal what is happening in us or around us. See →
- Heuristic function of emotions
They often talk about the heuristic function of emotions — that emotions tell us one or another, sometimes very successful and non-obvious, solution in a difficult situation. Is it so? It seems that no, and there is confusion in terms. See →
- Functional gymnastics of the body
A rapid and frequent change in the functional state of the body in a modern person performs not so much a regulatory function as the function of gymnastics of the body and maintaining its tone. From the point of view of a doctor, both joyful laughter and bitter crying are useful healing procedures. See →
- Universal language of communication
The most important function of emotions is their communicative function. In everyday communication, not the functional states of the body, but expressive facial movements and a changed voice, when we understand without words everything that a person wants to tell us — that’s what emotion is. See →
- Effective means of influence and manipulation
Emotions are the language of communication, but the language is unusual, not so much informational as exercising direct influence, the language is calling, motivating and demanding. The cry of a child is not just current information for regular consideration, it is a command for an immediate response. Emotions don’t just convey messages, emotions infect and energize, demand and inspire, attract and repel. See →
- Psychological protection
Emotions can be loaded, emotions can be protected. Many people are talented in using the communicative function of emotions to defend themselves against pressure, demands, and accusations from loved ones. I was upset, I was already feeling bad — which means that I can no longer be blamed. I’m tired — so don’t burden me anymore. I got angry — it means that a lot is already forgiven me. I’m afraid — so I can no longer do what I need to do. See →
- Emotional response, release from internal tension
People often express their feelings because they overwhelm and create tension. In the process of emotional response, expressing feelings, inner relief is achieved. The challenge here is emotional response.
- Motivation and feeling of life
Emotions-experiences, like an internal motor, make us move — and even if their energy is not always constructive, but they give a feeling of life. See →
- Emotions are our helmsman?
In a number of situations, emotions, as innate or habitual reactions of the body, control our behavior: we are stopped or pushed, turned towards one and turned away from the other. Sometimes this turns out to be adequate. See →
Chances are this enumeration of what emotions do for us—or how people use emotions—is not complete. It is only important to remember that listing where and how emotions are useful to us does not in any way cross out the fact that in some cases emotions are harmful to us. To make this happen less often, you need to learn how to manage emotions and make them adequate to the life situation. See →
The benefits and harms of emotions
What is the use of positive emotions — specifically? Is there any benefit, and what — in negative emotions?
- For the benefits of positive emotions, see →
- For the benefits of negative emotions, see →