An American psychologist and pioneer in the study of emotions, Ekman researched their link to facial expressions. Furthermore, he believed some feelings were common in both humans and some animals.ĭarwin’s theory was the basis for Paul Ekman’s studies. In his book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, he expressed the opinion, unpopular at the time, that emotions are evolutionary and some of them are universal. The first scientist to approach emotions from a scientific point of view was Charles Darwin in 1872. The science behind emotionsĮmotions have been studied by researchers for several decades now. By becoming more aware of our emotions and the thoughts, experiences, and behaviors that trigger them, we can achieve better emotional health. The good news is we can learn how to increase our emotional well-being. Our ability to manage and express feelings in a healthy way defines our emotional well-being. To further complicate matters, the way we deal with our emotions influences our quality of life. Furthermore, depending on our circumstances, the same thoughts may or may not make us feel happy.

However, emotional responses can vary significantly from person to person.įor instance, we all experience happiness, but the emotion can be triggered by extremely different thoughts or experiences. Most people will likely undergo fear in the face of immediate danger or sadness when dealing with loss.

At the same time, emotions are reactive biological states and patterns triggered by thoughts, experiences, behaviors, and physiological elements.īecause emotions are subjective, they are highly complex and sometimes difficult to understand, even as we experience them. They have an impact on our mood, our relationships, our work, and personal life. They guide us in big life decisions and small everyday choices. Before we dive in to the list of emotions we all share, let’s define what emotions are and from where they originate.

List of emotions