What are emotions?

​​​​​​​If you need a definition, we give: “Emotions are expressive movements of the face and voice, accompanied by emotional experiences against the background of a change in the functional state of the body.” In fact, everything is more complicated, because, no matter what science insists on, people use words not strictly, not according to science, but at their own discretion, and therefore the word “emotions” in life has several – and quite different – ​​basic meanings.

In the first sense, emotions are quick and short elements of feelings, their situational manifestation.

Anger, accusations and suffering, like flashing emotions with a deep sense of resentment.

In the second meaning, emotions are feelings expressed for presentation to others.

Experiences for oneself are rather feelings. A splash of feelings on another, a demonstration of feelings, expressive movements for … — these are rather emotions.

In the third sense, emotions are the name of all manifestations of the affective sphere, in this case, emotions are understood as feelings, and affects, and moods, and even desires.

At least emotions and feelings are easily used as synonyms.

Where did the word emotion come from? In Latin «emoveo» means — shake, wave, in French «emotion» is translated as «excitement, excitement.»

When there is peace in the soul and body, one does not talk about emotions. Emotion is always movement: dynamics, transition, bubbling. This or that state, if it is not accompanied by expressive movements of the face — is not yet an emotion, but a quick transition between states, movement and switching between states — can already be called an emotion. Emotions are movements, but not all, but necessarily expressive, conveying one or another attitude, carrying information about the state of a person.

The American psychologist Carroll Izard insists that only one facial expression is associated with one emotion, which cannot be confused with another. This is not entirely true, childish resentment has a dozen different recognizable mimic forms, but the main thing here is different — that the movement of the face into one or another muzzle is not accidental, but expresses a certain meaning.

Emotions can be observed from the outside, emotions can be experienced from the inside. People talk about a person’s emotions by observing only the expressive movements of his face — joy or doubt, boredom or interest. It is clear that in fact there may not be real emotion in this case: emotion can only be shown. An attentive researcher knows that a real living emotion is supplemented by the state of the body, or rather, by movements, rapid switching between functional states.

He tensed, relaxed, collected himself — relaxed again and turned into absent-mindedness. He went into anger, fear arose, relaxed into a smile …

Changes in physiological parameters: EEG, GSR — an important sign that the emotion is really present. Actually, a lie detector is built on this.

But for many people, the most important sign of emotions is internal movements, movements of experiences. Experiences, like the heart of emotions, are internal movements of certain charged events: a thrill of expectation, a flash of joy, tormented by doubts, an impulse of rage, a scrolling of loss.

Please note: internal events are not dead, but alive, charged with interactions with each other and influencing other internal processes in a person.

Total

Emotions are a package of three elements: these are expressive movements of the face and voice, these are rapid shifts in the body from one functional state to another, and these are movements of emotional experiences. In a complete, real emotion with a face, body and experiences, these three components are expressed all at once and fully, but more often — not all and partially. In any case, emotions are always movements that have an expressive image.

The difference between emotions and feelings, moods, expressive movements and other related concepts, see →

How to deal with emotions? To simplify a lot, we can say that women have too many emotions, and men have too few, they are underdeveloped. More precisely — see what is left and right emotionality.

Classification of emotions, types of emotions and feelings

Emotions differ in their source (who triggers our emotions: we ourselves or those with whom we communicate? or the situation?), in their sign (positive and negative), in the height of the emotional tone and, if possible, to control emotions … See →

Emotions in human life

Emotions for something appeared in the evolutionary development of man. For what? Emotions are mastered, learned by each child in the process of his development. For what? Can you manage your emotions, how? How to develop your emotional sphere? See →

Development of the emotional sphere

The approach to the development of the emotional sphere of the personality is the same as in the development of other personal resources. Knowing exactly where to move and in what direction to develop emotionally, a person can either develop the emotional sphere on his own, or turn to specialists. In the latter case, it is important that the specialists are highly qualified, and the centers are time-tested. The largest training center in Russia is the Sinton center. The training «World of Emotions: Energy, Happiness, Freedom» is one of the four trainings included in the Synton program that allows you to emotionally saturate life, master unique techniques for managing your emotional state.