What do you think of when you hear someone talking about emotions?  

When asked this question, many people will think about prominent emotions (such as sadness, happiness, or anger), the bodily reactions to emotions (how certain emotions make you feel physically, like your heart beating faster), outward expressions of emotions (facial expressions), or concepts commonly associated with discussions about emotions (such as self-regulation, other responses to emotions, and emotional intelligence).

Let’s start with a definition.

Although none of these definitions are wrong, these “everyday working definitions,” as Whissell refers to them in Engaging with Emotion, do not tell the whole story.  It is important to have a collective, unified definition of emotion that does not rely on individual interpretation.  This definition makes discussions about emotions more straightforward and removes much confusion. 

A general definition of emotions, as provided by the ever-clear Crash Course definition, reads, “A mind and body’s integrated response to a stimulus of some kind”.  For more specifics as to what this can mean, let’s take a look at Whissel’s definition, which breaks down this general definition into seven points:

1. Emotions are a response to stimulus.  In simple terms, this means that emotions are a reaction.  Something happens in our environment (the stimulus), and we respond to it (the emotion).
2. Emotional reactions involve the body. This refers to the physical changes and responses we have in response to a stimulus, such as our hearts beating faster or body temperature increasing.  
3. Emotional reactions involve the brain. This refers to how our brains respond to and direct emotional responses.
4. Emotions are adaptive. This means that our emotions are designed to help us survive.  If you are hiking alone and see a bear, you will likely begin to feel fearful to some extent and will, as a result, behave more cautiously.  These emotions tell you to be on higher alert and give the bear some space to keep yourself safe.
5. Emotions interact with cognition. Emotions and thoughts are not the same thing, but they do interact with and influence each other.  Often referred to as “appraisal,” our mental response to something can affect how we react to something emotionally.  While one person may consider a grade of 80% a high grade and would respond with happiness to receiving this mark on a final exam, another may see this as a low mark and will respond with disappointment.  The mark itself doesn’t change, but the student’s reaction does because of how they appraise (judge) the mark.  
6. Emotions are both instinctive and learned. While some emotions are reflexive, meaning that they are preprogrammed and do not require thought, other emotions are learned, meaning they can be trained.  Through methods such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), our brains can be trained to use (or not use) emotions at certain times.
7. Emotions are subject to social and cultural influences. Emotional expression is learned differently in different cultures.  Two different people could feel the same emotion, but they will express it differently as a result of how they have learned to express these emotions. This is a specific way in which emotions can be learned.

Now that we have a definition of emotions to work with, what makes emotions important?

Emotions are essential for a few reasons.

Firstly, emotions carry information.  Strong emotional reactions point to things that are important to us or things that are going on in our lives.  If we become sad when someone leaves, we can recognize that we likely miss that person’s presence.  If we are stressed, our emotions are drawing our attention to our need to potentially slow down and take a step back for a few moments. By paying attention to our emotions, we can develop a better sense of how we feel about the world around us and what is of value to us personally.

Emotions give us a sense of continuity in life. We can recognize our emotions, as well as how our emotions differ from those of others.  This differentiation of emotions becomes a part of who we are as individuals and can contribute to our sense of self.  For example, if you smile widely and can’t sit still when you are happy and excited, being incredibly expressive of your happiness may become one way in which you identify yourself.

Emotions prepare us for action. Emotions give us a basis for how we should respond.  When we are fearful, we react in caution; when we feel safe, we can let down our guard; when we are stressed, we respond in ways that seek to alleviate stress, such as working to get something we are worried about out of the way or taking a break for a few minutes.

For more information about the importance of emotions, check out this video.  To learn more about emotions, other useful resources include Crash Course Psychology’s “Feeling All the Feels” and Psychology Today’s articles on “What are Emotions”, “22 Important Things to Know About Emotions”, and “5 Important Things to Know About Emotions”.