Emotion in Psychology
Emotions are a fundamental part of the human experience, and as such, they have been extensively studied by psychologists. To understand emotion from a psychological perspective is to comprehend how emotions arise, develop, and manifest within us. In this article, we will explore what emotions are, according to psychology, and look at some of the key theories that attempt to explain them.
What Are Emotions?
In general terms, an emotion can be defined as any strong feeling or state that arises in response to events or stimuli; these can range from positive feelings like joy and love to negative feelings such as fear or anger. Psychologists tend not to agree on one single definition for emotion; however, there are several core elements that all definitions include: physiological arousal (such as changes in heart rate), expressive behavior (e.g., facial expressions), cognitive appraisal (the interpretation of a situation), and subjective experience (how it feels). All of these components must work together in order for an emotional reaction to occur; if any element is missing, then no emotional response will take place.