Grundgefühle

Grundgefühle, literally "basic feelings," is a concept used in German psychology and psychotherapy to refer to a small set of core affective states that underpin emotional experience. The term describes fundamental affects that shape perception, motivation, and behavior and which can give rise to more complex emotions through appraisal processes.

In many theories, Grundgefühle correspond to basic emotions that are considered universal and biologically rooted. Commonly cited examples include Freude (joy), Traurigkeit (sadness), Furcht (fear), Wut (anger), Ekel (disgust) and Überraschung (surprise). Some researchers expand the list to include additional states such as Vertrauen (trust) or Scham (shame), but there is no single universally accepted inventory; lists vary by theoretical approach.

Grundgefühle are often contrasted with mood, which tends to be longer-lasting and diffuse, and with specific emotions that have identifiable triggers. They are thought to influence lower-level processing, attention, memory, and decision-making, thereby shaping how individuals interpret events and respond to them.

In clinical and therapeutic contexts, identifying a person’s Grundgefühle can help explain persistent patterns, attachment dynamics, and affect regulation strategies. This awareness can guide interventions aimed at emotion awareness, regulation, and coping. The concept also intersects with debates in emotion theory, notably between universalist basic-emotion perspectives and constructivist views that emphasize cultural, linguistic, and situational shaping of emotional life.

Overall, Grundgefühle serve as a framework for discussing foundational affective states, while recognizing ongoing scientific discussion about universality, variation, and the precise boundaries between basic and more complex emotions.