Emoties

Emoties, or emotions, are complex mental states that combine subjective experience, physiological arousal, and expressive behavior. They arise when an event is appraised as personally significant and influence thinking, decision making, and action. Emotions are distinct from moods, which are longer-lasting affective states, and from the broader concept of affect, which includes both feelings and moods.

Theories of emotion typically distinguish basic emotions—often listed as happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust—with some accounts adding contempt. Beyond these there are social and self-conscious emotions, such as pride, guilt, shame, embarrassment, envy, and gratitude. Emotions vary in valence (positive or negative) and arousal (intensity) and are shaped by context, culture, and individual differences. Universality versus cultural variation in emotional expression is a longstanding topic in psychology and anthropology.

Neurologically, emotions involve networks across the brain. The amygdala plays a key role in rapid evaluation of emotional relevance, while the prefrontal cortex supports regulation and conscious appraisal. Other regions, including the insula and anterior cingulate cortex, contribute to interoception, empathy, and value-based decisions. The autonomic nervous system mediates physiological responses such as heart rate and skin conductance.

Emotion regulation refers to processes that influence which emotions are experienced, when they occur, and how they are expressed. Strategies include cognitive reappraisal, suppression, and mindfulness, with implications for well-being and social functioning. Emotions develop from infancy and are continually refined by learning, culture, and social interaction. Measurement in research combines self-report with physiological and behavioral indicators.