We all have feelings and emotions, yet most of don't realize how well these powerful inner forces serve us. Instead, we try to avoid unpleasant feelings. This is too bad because emotional signals are among the most important tools that we have. Emotions are physical reactions to change. They are kind of like reflexes and digestion. They help us navigate through the world. We do not choose our emotions - they happen with or without our awareness. Even animals have emotions, as any animal lover well knows.
The question of which emotions are most basic has fascinated philosophers and scholars for centuries -- with Darwin, Descartes, Hume, Hobbes and Spinoza all weighing in on the matter. Based on cross-cultural research, psychologist Paul Ekman suggested that five universal emotions seem to be "hard-wired" into us. Each of these basic emotions has a distinct "physiological signature" with fixed, automatic, neuromuscular changes including facial expressions and tones of voice. Ekman developed a rating system that reliably identifies emotions using micro-facial expressions. He became considered an expert at detecting lies (the TV show "Lie to Me" is based on him). Although scholars continue to debate exactly how many basic emotions there are (even Ekman has changed his mind), this column relies on a simplified version of Ekman's initial analysis.
Ekman's initial five basic emotions are: anger, fear, disgust, sorrow, and joy. Given the preponderance of negative emotions (4:1) it is no wonder so many people want to get away from their feelings! However, as unpleasant as they can be, our emotions are invaluable bodily signals that help us steer us successfully through life.
Emotions are responses to meaningful change, things that we believe will affect our happiness or survival. Changes can occur in one of three places: our minds (for example, new images or ideas), our bodies (for example, illness, pain or growth), or the outside world (for example, a death, victory, or threat -- here the list is endless).
Certain changes (or so-called triggers) predictably cause certain emotions:
- When we feel offended or frustrated from achieving an anticipated goal we experience Anger.
- When we feel threatened we experience Fear.
- When exposed to germs or something unhealthy we experience Disgust.
- When we lose something we experience Sadness.
- In response to approaching safety, success, connection, or deep pleasure we experience Joy.
The more a change affects our happiness, or our expectation of happiness, the more intense the emotion. These physical impulses, our emotions, suggest strategies for dealing with change. Or you could say that they prompt a tendency to action. When sad we are inclined to mourning, when angry we hurt or threaten, when scared we want to retreat, and when disgusted we want to wretch. When joyful we want more.
How do you feel about the primitive emotions of anger, fear, disgust, sadness and joy? Which of these emotions are most troublesome for you?
Start investigating your emotional life by thinking about your reactions to your own emotions. Begin to think about why some emotions are more comfortable for you than others.
- Think about which basic emotions (anger, fear, disgust, sorrow, and joy) you experience most frequently.
- Which emotions feel most uncomfortable to you? What is about these emotions that makes you uneasy? For instance, some people are scared of their anger, or ashamed of their fear. Sadly, may people are uncomfortable feeling joy.
- Which emotions feel most comfortable? Are you someone who is comfortable with joy in all its forms? Can you revel in natural beauty, emotional intimacy, and new ideas? Or are you someone who is drawn to particular negative emotions, because they seem safe and familiar. This might mean you have a well-worn tendency to regularly feel sad, scared, angry, or disgusted.
- Are there any basic emotions (anger, fear, disgust, sorrow, and joy) you never feel? Which ones? Why might you be disconnected from, or ashamed of, these emotions?
Starting to identify how you feel about various emotions is a good first step to expanding your range of emotion. Tolerating a full range of emotions will help you find new parts of yourself.
This is so interesting!
I am going to print out this post.
Right now we're teaching emotions to our son Diego in his therapies.
We're starting with the most basic ones: happy and sad.
It's amazing how by understanding emotions he's more able to connect with other people.
Something funny is that now when he wants a toy and he can't get it he says: I am sooooo sad.
:)
Posted by: Elsita | 02/08/2011 at 11:12 AM