There are many different types of emotions that influence how we live and interact with others. At times, it may seem like we are ruled by these emotions. The choices we make, the actions we take, and the perceptions we have are all influenced by the emotions we are experiencing at any given moment.
Psychologists have also tried to identify the different types of emotions that people experience. A few different theories have emerged to categorize and explain the emotions that people feel.
Basic Emotions
During the 1970s, psychologist Paul Eckman identified six basic emotions. The emotions he identified were happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, and anger. He later expanded his list of basic emotions to include such things as pride, shame, embarrassment, and excitement.
Emotions can be combined to form different feelings, much like colours can be mixed to create other shades.
Basic emotions such as joy and trust can be combined to create love.
There are many different types of emotions that influence how we live and interact with others.
Combining Emotions
Psychologist Robert Plutchik put forth a "wheel of emotions" that worked something like the colour wheel. Emotions can be combined to form different feelings, much like colours can be mixed to create other shades.
According to this theory, the more basic emotions act like building blocks. More complex, sometimes mixed emotions, are blendings of these more basic ones. For example, basic emotions such as joy and trust can be combined to create love.
A 2017 study suggests that there are far more basic emotions than previously believed.1 In the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers identified 27 different categories of emotion.
Rather than being entirely distinct, however, the researchers found that people experience these emotions along a gradient.
Happiness
Of all the different types of emotions, happiness tends to be the one that people strive for the most. Happiness is often defined as a pleasant emotional state that is characterized by feelings of contentment, joy, gratification, satisfaction, and well-being. This type of emotion is sometimes expressed through:
Facial expressions: such as smiling
Body language: such as a relaxed stance
The tone of voice: an upbeat, pleasant way of speaking
Happiness has been linked to a variety of outcomes including increased longevity and increased marital satisfaction.3 Conversely, unhappiness has been linked to a variety of poor health outcomes.
Stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, for example, have been linked to things such as lowered immunity, increased inflammation, and decreased life expectancy.
interest, and dampened mood.
Sadness
Like other emotions, sadness is something that all people experience from time to time. In some cases, people can experience prolonged and severe periods of sadness that can turn into depression. Sadness can be expressed in a number of ways including:
Crying
Dampened mood
Lethargy
Quietness
Withdrawal from others
The type and severity of sadness can vary depending upon the root cause, and how people cope with such feelings can also differ.
Fear
Fear is a powerful emotion that can also play an important role in survival. When you face some sort of danger and experience fear, you go through what is known as the fight or flight response.
Your muscles become tense, your heart rate and respiration increase, and your mind become more alert, priming your body to either run from the danger or stand and fight.
Expressions of this type of emotion can include:
Facial expressions: such as widening the eyes and pulling back the chin
Body language: attempts to hide or flee from the threat
Physiological reactions: such as rapid breathing and heartbeat
Disgust
Disgust is another of the original six basic emotions described by Eckman. Disgust can be displayed in a number of ways including:
Body language: turning away from the object of disgust
Physical reactions: such as vomiting or retching
Facial expressions: such as wrinkling the nose and curling the upper lip
Anger
Anger can be a particularly powerful emotion characterized by feelings of hostility, agitation, frustration, and antagonism towards others. Like fear, anger can play a part in your body's fight or flight response.
When a threat generates feelings of anger, you may be inclined to fend off the danger and protect yourself. Anger is often displayed through:
Facial expressions: such as frowning or glaring
Body language: such as taking a strong stance or turning away
The tone of voice: such as speaking gruffly or yelling
Physiological responses: such as sweating or turning red
Aggressive behaviours: such as hitting, kicking, or throwing objects
Surprise
Surprise is another one of the six basic types of human emotions originally described by Eckman. Surprise is usually quite brief and is characterized by a physiological startle response following something unexpected.
This type of emotion can be positive, negative, or neutral.
"Mommy? " My four years old son yelled running into my room.
I didn't answer him, because he made a mistake, and I was waiting for him to realise it.
I turned to look at him and he covered his mouth with his hand before moving back a little and knocked on the door.
Good!
Rule: You knock first when you enter someone's bedroom.
"Come in son."
"Good morning Mummy!"
"Good morning."
"May I ask what are you doing?"
"Yes, you may. And I am talking to my best friend." I answered him.
He groaned, "Mommy, Google is just a search engine, it can't be considered as a friend."
"I know it is a search engine but it is better than any human being, so yes he is my friend."
"Fine! I just wanted to remind you about my friends birthday party."
"I do remember, but we have to buy a gift for him first," I said and he nodded as I pulled him into my arms.
"You should know what he likes."
He nodded again.
Enthusiasm. Happiness. Determination.
"First you need to take a shower."
Frown. Frustration.
"Okay."
He hates showers, but it's like I am going to listen if he tells me he doesn't want one.
*****
"Mommy!" I heard Arin yell for the third time.
"I am coming."
Umph!
Impatient.
"But you always say that."
"I always say that, because you always make a mess after your shower."
"Sorry," He said sheepishly.
Embarrassment.
He is just like him.
FLASHBACK
"Krystal, we are going to be late."
"I am coming."
Umph!
Impatient.
"Why do you always give me the same reply, we are going to be late."
"I always give you the same reply because you always make a mess after your shower. And I am not allowed to shower before you."
He sighed when I finally reached down the stairs.
"I hate waiting, thank god you look presentable enough. Don't embarrass me, there are going to be a lot of people."
I nodded and followed him to his car.
END OF FLASHBACK
"Mommy!" Arin whined. And I walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs.
He was pacing around when I walked down.
"I am done. It only took me 20 minutes to get ready and another 20 minutes to clean the bathroom. You need to learn about patience."
"That's your job mommy," he said.
"I don't learn about it, I teach that baby."
"Okay! Okay! Let's go, let's go!"
Impatient.
