Emotions impact nearly everything we do as humans. They are survival tools. They are relationship builders. Emotions influence what we say and do and how we interact with others. Most importantly, they always demand to be felt.
It’s up to you to decide how you respond to the emotions that are felt, but you can’t ignore which ones come to the surface.
It can be argued that there are countless emotions, each with its own fine detail of making you feel a specific way. But, after running several experiments in the 1960s, Paul Ekman was able to identify several primary emotions.
What Are Primary Emotions?
Primary (basic) emotions are universally recognized by everyone. They are easily recognizable, even by children, giving people a basic understanding of how another person is feeling.
Examples of primary emotions include:
- Anger
- Happiness
- Fear
- Disgust
- Sadness
- Surprise
If you’ve ever seen Pixar’s movie Inside Out, most of these emotions should sound familiar, as the film personified them. While it obviously took some liberties, there was a reason the movie-makers chose those specific emotions to tell a story. People know what those emotions look and feel like, making it easier to relate to the characters in the movie.
Automatic Reactions
The interesting thing about primary emotions is that they’re almost instant, and they’re easy to see. For example, if you see a cute dog walking down the street, it’s likely to make you feel happy. You’ll smile without even thinking about it, letting everyone around you know exactly how that dog makes you feel.
Facial expressions associated with emotions are recognized around the world. In that regard, emotions can serve as a type of language and communication tool to connect with others without saying a word.
Not convinced? What emotion do you think someone would be displaying if their brow was furrowed and lips were pursed?
What about if someone has their nose wrinkled?
Or, what would you think if someone’s lips were turned down into a frown?
Chances are, you would easily be able to identify those emotions, respectfully, as anger, disgust, and sadness. So would someone in a completely different country.
Understanding Secondary Emotions
The six primary emotions listed above obviously aren’t the only ones you can feel on a daily basis. There are countless secondary emotions to consider. However, secondary emotions are different in that they require you to think.
While primary emotions come naturally, secondary emotions are feelings you have in response to your feelings.
For example, let’s say someone close to you makes you angry. Anger is the primary emotion. The more you think about why and how they’ve made you angry, the easier it will be for secondary emotions like frustration and resentment to come in.
Why Is Understanding Your Emotions Important?
Understanding your own emotions can make a big difference in how you live your life. It will make you more in tune with your feelings and might cause you to stop and ask yourself why you’re dealing with a specific emotion at any given time.
Being in touch with both your primary and secondary emotions can also help with emotional regulation. You’ll have an easier time responding to situations appropriately, rather than letting your emotions drive.
Again, emotions will always demand that you feel them. But you’re still in the driver’s seat. You choose how to respond to those feelings. The more aware you are of why you might be dealing with certain emotions, the easier it is to take the wheel.
If you want to learn more about primary emotions, or even how to work through your secondary emotions, feel free to contact me.