What Are Emotions?

Abstract

This chapter is focused on the definition, measurement , function and causes of emotions. The chapter begins with the central concept that an emotion is not a substance but a co-ordination of processes, with a definition of emotions , and with a description of emotions as “selective drivers” with reference to their motivating and selective function. Causes of emotions are seen as generally related to cognition , but studies are cited which indicate that emotions may be unconscious, related directly to subcortical parts of the brain and function as “early warning signals”. This leads to viewpoints that emotions may be differently related to biological and social factors, and that there may be different types of emotions . A list of ten basic emotions is proposed at the end of the chapter.