Understanding Emotions: Definitions, Types & Significance

Emotions are subjective feelings that can differ from person to person. The way one person feels happiness, for example, may not be the same as another person. This makes it rather difficult to study emotions, yet they are the subject of many studies by psychologists and philosophers alike. Just what an emotion is can be hard to define, though there are certain facts that help to put a face on the term.

Primary Emotions

• Primary emotions are the basic ones from which others can come. These include fear, anger, happiness or disgust.

Complex Emotions

• Complex emotions are those that are felt through the combination of various primary emotions. These have roots in various emotions and generally take more time to build.

Time Frame

• When time becomes a factor, emotions can vary again. Some emotions take only a brief moment to form, while deeper emotions, such as love, take a long time to develop.

Neurobiology

• Neurobiologists explain emotions as either pleasant or unpleasant mental states. These originate in the limbic system and are responses to physical stressors.

Cognitive

• Cognitive theories regarding emotions tell that they are always about something going on in the life of the person experiencing them. In this way, emotions are responses to various thoughts, attitudes and judgments.