Emotions are mental states brought on by neurophysiological changes, variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure. There is no scientific consensus on a definition of emotions. However, there are several theories of basic emotions that are widely accepted. Here are some of the main emotions:
- Happiness: A pleasant emotional state that elicits feelings of joy, contentment, and satisfaction.
- Sadness: An emotional state characterized by feelings of disappointment, grief, or hopelessness.
- Anger: An emotional state characterized by feelings of fury, outrage, wrath, irritability, hostility, resentment, and violence.
- Fear: An emotional state characterized by feelings of anxiety, apprehension, nervousness, dread, fright, and panic.
- Disgust: An emotional state characterized by feelings of contempt, disdain, scorn, aversion, distaste, and revulsion.
- Surprise: An emotional state characterized by feelings of shock, astonishment, amazement, astound, and wonder.
There are also complex emotions that vary in their appearances across people and cultures. Some examples of complex emotions include grief, jealousy, and regret. Complex emotions are made up of two or more basic emotions. For example, fear, anger, and disgust make up the complex emotion of hate.
