Emotions are complex reactions involving a cascade of subjective, physical, and behavioral reactions. While they are not always productive in every situation, they are designed to motivate us to act in ways that not only benefit our survival, but also help us prosper in our environment. The following emotions are found in all humans across many cultures.
Information message: Protect from immediate harm or danger
Related terms: Scared, dread, fright, panicked, uneasy
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Face flushing, general feeling of tightness or rigidity, teeth clamping/mouth tightening, wound up/feel like you will explode out of your body.
Actions and expressions: Wanting to strike [someone/something], verbally attacking [someone], cursing, yelling, clenching your hands and fists, complaining, brooding or withdrawing
Information message: Prevent future harm or danger
Related terms: Nervous, apprehensive, worried, dreading, overwhelmed, tense, stressed
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Tension in muscles (neck, head, back, jaw), restlessness, feeling tired, inability to rest or sleep, difficulty concentrating, keyed up or on edge, chronic headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort
Actions and expressions: Avoiding reminders of anxiety-provoking things/people, seeking reassurance from others that you are going to be ok, rapid talking
Information message: Withdraw from an intolerable someone or something
Related terms: Appalled, contemptuous, sickened, distanced, noxious
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Queasiness, stomach aches, numb in hands and feet
Actions and expressions: Push away [offending person/object], avoid contact with [offending person/object], speak negatively about [offending person/object], expressing discontent on face
Information message: Respond to an injustice or transgression against you
Related terms: Irritated, hostile, furious, annoyed, bitter, frustrated, grumpy, scornful, offended
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Face flushing, general feeling of tightness or rigidity, teeth clamping/mouth tightening, wound up/feel like you will explode out of your body.
Actions and expressions: Wanting to strike [someone/something], verbally attacking [someone], cursing, yelling, clenching your hands and fists, complaining, brooding or withdrawing
Information message: Acknowledge an important loss or an unreachable goal–allowing for disengagement, and conservation of energy
Related terms: Despair, hurt, down, agonized, defeated, glum, hopeless, alienated, sorrow, unhappy
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Empty or pit feeling in stomach, crying, difficulty swallowing, arms and legs feel heavy, tired, loss of concentration, loss of breath, dizzy
Actions and expressions: Absence of ability to act including low energy/feeling lethargic/slow movements/loss of interest or motivation to socialize/work, frowning, talking less or slower
Information message: Recognize one has violated social norms/mores
Related terms: Humiliated, embarrassed, contrite, guilty, regretful
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Crying, blushing, jittery, pit in stomach, difficulty speaking, choking sensation
Actions and expressions: Hiding, escaping the presence of others, attempting to repair possible harm, apologizing, looking at the floor, slumping
Information message: Gaining something that you prize
Related terms: Happy, exhilaration, amusement
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Authentic smile (“smiling with eyes”)
Actions and expressions: Increased willingness to approach, being active, urge to play and be playful
Information message: Increasing attention to potential reward
Related terms: Curiosity, intrigue, excitement, wonder
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Feeling animated or alive, butterflies in stomach
Actions and expressions: Attending to, orienting towards, exploring one’s world, expanding actions
Information message: Savoring one’s current life circumstances and recent successes
Related terms: Tranquility, serenity
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Welcomed inactivity; relief
Actions and expressions: Openly taking in new experiences, relaxing muscles, facial expressions communicating non-intense pleasure
Information message: Happily or enthusiastically anticipating or seeking a new or known sensation or experience.
Related terms: Enthusiasm, anticipation, fascination, eagerness
Subjective feelings:
Body experience: Feeling like heart is racing, having sweaty palms, tingling in your belly
Actions and expressions: Increased attention to or desire to engage with a situation or experience, rapid speaking, more impulsive decision making
