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Emotions - Defined

by Rick Baker
On Nov 17, 2011
In this Thought Post I consider dictionary definitions around the word ‘Emotion’ then adopt what I find to be a much-more-helpful description of Emotions, provided by the world-renowned psychologist and pioneer in the study of Emotions, Paul Ekman.
 
I go into this detail because:
  1. I believe People Only Do 3 Things: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things
  2. I believe Emotions play a huge role in day-to-day business life
First, I looked at the on-line Merriam-Webster dictionary to obtain their definition of Emotion. I have copied below Merriam-Webster’s definition of ‘Emotion’ and their definitions of two words used in their definition of ‘Emotion’ [‘Affective’ and ‘Feeling’].
 
It seems to me the Merriam-Webster definition of Emotion is cumbersome and circular. And, it is inaccurate.
 
So, Spirited Leaders has adopted Paul Ekman’s definition of Emotion [see below].
 
***
 
From Merriam-Webster’s on-line dictionary:

Definition of EMOTION
 
1a obsolete: disturbance b: excitement
 
2a: the affective aspect of consciousness: feeling b: a state of feeling c: a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body 
 

Definition of AFFECTIVE
 
1: relating to, arising from, or influencing feelings or emotions: emotional <cognitive and affective symptoms>
 
2: expressing emotion <affective language> 
 

Definition of FEELING
 
1a (1): one of the basic physical senses of which the skin contains the chief end organs and of which the sensations of touch and temperature are characteristic: touch (2): a sensation experienced through this sense b: generalized bodily consciousness or sensation c: appreciative or responsive awareness or recognition
 
2a: an emotional state or reaction <a kindly feeling toward the boy> plural: susceptibility to impression: sensitivity <the remark hurt her feelings>
 
3a: the undifferentiated background of one's awareness considered apart from any identifiable sensation, perception, or thought b: the overall quality of one's awareness c: conscious recognition: sense
 
4a: often unreasoned opinion or belief: sentiment b: presentiment
 
5: capacity to respond emotionally especially with the higher emotions
 
6: the character ascribed to something: atmosphere
 
7: the quality of a work of art that conveys the emotion of the artist b: sympathetic aesthetic response
 
 
***
 
Definition of EMOTION [Paul Ekman’s, which we have adopted]
 
According to Paul Ekman, and to a degree I am simplifying and paraphrasing here, Emotions are defined by 7 characteristics:
 
1. Signals: Emotions are mental states, most of which exhibit consistent visible cues.
 
2. Automatic Appraisal: Emotions occur automatically and very fast...1/4 second.
 
3. Lack of Awareness: Consciousness plays little role if any...most Emotions are opaque to consciousness and thought. Nature did not want us to be able to consciously control Emotions. However, thoughts can re-trigger Emotions.
 
4. Not Unique to Humans: Other animals exhibit the same Emotions as Humans. There is no Human Emotion that cannot be seen in at least one other animal.
 
5. Short Duration: Emotions can last for extremely short periods (seconds) or longer, but they never last longer than a day. (longer-lasting ‘states of mind’ are defined as Moods)
 
6. Conscious Awareness of Emotions is a Skill: using special exercises, it can be developed. We can become skilled at self-monitoring, being present, and self-regulating. We need to explore the motivation and intent behind our Emotions. Knowledge and skill around motivation and intent will help us understand and control our Emotions.
 
7. Emotions can get us into trouble..."I lost my head". In fact, it seems Ekman thinks Emotions do present-day Humans little, if any, good. Emotions, all of them, are vestiges of evolution.
 
Footnotes
  1. To learn about Paul Ekman
  2. Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary

Tags:

Definitions - Spirited Words Defined | Emotions & Feelings @ Work

Comments (4) -

rick baker
4/28/2012 9:52:51 PM #

"On average, our actions are motivated 15 percent by logic and discipline and 85 percent by emotions or feelings. Or, said another way, when our emotions and our conscious willpower are in conflict, our emotions will win 85 percent of the time."

Ron Willingham
‘The Inner Game Of Selling’, (2006)

rick baker
1/13/2013 8:31:13 PM #

“We’re with the growing number of experts who view emotions as a sliding scale of psychological responses ranging from pleasure at one end to displeasure at the other; these reactions allow us to assess the significance of everything we encounter – from event, to people, to even our own thoughts – with respect to our own needs and goals.”

Jeff Brown and Mark Fenske
'The Winner's Brain', (2010)

rick baker
2/28/2014 11:58:37 PM #

"It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this."

Bertrand Russell
British polymath, 1872-1970

rick baker
12/12/2015 6:06:03 PM #

"Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you."

Roger Ebert
American Movie Critic, (1942-2013)

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