Basic Human Emotions

Basic Human Emotions

Human emotions are divided into the following six basic types:

• Happiness

Happiness is considered the most important emotion that every person strives to achieve. It can be defined as a state of joy characterized by a sense of contentment, satisfaction, fulfillment, and gratitude, among other similar positive feelings. Research on happiness has increased since the 1960s, particularly with the emergence of a new branch of psychology known as Positive Psychology.

• Sadness

Sadness is defined as a temporary state marked by feelings of loss, loneliness, and disinterest. This emotion is common and affects everyone from time to time, but if it persists or intensifies, it may lead to depression. It’s worth noting that the duration and intensity of this feeling depend on its underlying cause, as well as the individual’s personality.

• Fear

The feeling of fear plays a crucial role in survival, as it triggers the fight-or-flight response when facing threats or danger. At that moment, the body prepares either to defend itself or to escape. This type of basic human emotion causes several physical changes, including:

• Muscle tension.
• Rapid breathing.
• Increased heart rate.

• Disgust

This emotion arises when encountering something repulsive, such as seeing something dirty or disease-inducing. It is also noteworthy that witnessing immoral behavior can provoke feelings of disgust, which push us to avoid such actions, as this emotion leads to aversion from its source.

• Anger

Anger is defined as a strong emotion marked by aggressive and violent reactions. It is similar to fear in that it also arises when facing danger or threats, but it is associated only with fighting, not fleeing—meaning it drives us to defend ourselves and confront danger.

• Surprise

This emotion is momentary—it doesn’t last long—and occurs when something unexpected happens, whether positive, negative, or otherwise. It is also linked to the fight-or-flight response, as a person may be startled when exposed to unforeseen danger.

How to Control Basic Human Emotions

Here are some of the most effective ways to help you manage your negative basic emotions:

• Practice meditation—it helps you understand and accept your emotions, making them easier to manage. We remind you to download the Tawazon app to benefit from its extensive resources on various meditation types and enjoy its podcasts and guided sessions.
• Stay away from the source of the negative emotion.
• Write down what you’re feeling on paper.
• Avoid psychological stress as much as possible.