Study notes for BPCS-183 Block 1 Unit 1. Covers definitions of emotion by Plutchik, Woodworth and Morris, four key features of emotions, difference between emotion feeling and mood with comparison table, three functions of emotions (intrapersonal interpersonal social-cultural), five components of emotions (affective cognitive physiological motivational expressive) with Jhanvi example, primary and secondary emotions, Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions, cognitive appraisal theory, appraisals-emotions table, thoughts-emotions-behaviour triangle, and all SAQs and unit end questions with answers. Free PDF download.
This unit introduces you to the world of emotions — what they are, how they work, and why they matter. You will learn to identify emotions, understand their components, and see how your thoughts and emotions shape your behaviour every day.
Emotions are one of the most important parts of being human. Without emotions, our life would be flat and colourless. We feel happy when we win, sad when we lose, angry when things go wrong, and scared when there is danger.
But what exactly are emotions? Where do they come from? How do they affect our thinking and actions? This unit answers all these questions.
Each of these would create a powerful emotional reaction. That reaction is what we call an emotion.
| Scholar | Definition |
|---|---|
| Plutchik (2001) | Emotion is a complex chain of loosely connected events that begins with a stimulus and includes feelings, psychological changes, impulses to action and specific goal-directed behaviour. |
| Woodworth (1945) | Emotion is a stirred-up state of the organism — it appears as feelings to the individual and as disturbed muscular and glandular activity to an outside observer. |
| Morris (1979) | Emotion is a complex affective experience that involves diffuse physiological changes and can be expressed overtly in characteristic behaviour patterns. |
| Aspect | Emotion | Feeling | Mood |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Body's instant physical reaction to a trigger | Conscious awareness of that reaction | A long-lasting emotional state |
| How long? | Very short (seconds) | Short (minutes) | Long — hours to days |
| Caused by? | An outside trigger (stimulus) | Your awareness of the emotion | May have no clear cause |
| Example | Heart beats fast seeing a snake | Realising you feel afraid | Waking up grumpy for no reason |
Emotions create feelings. Feelings that last become moods.
Help you make decisions and guide behaviour
Tell you when to fight or run from danger
Happiness promotes creative thinking
Even sadness helps you think more carefully
Emotions signal your feelings to others
A smile invites people to approach
Sadness encourages others to show empathy
Helps initiate and manage relationships
Trust acts as 'social glue' keeping groups together
Cultures create 'display rules' — which emotions are OK to show
Example: Eastern cultures often expect men to show anger but not cry
According to Plutchik (2001): Emotion is a complex chain of loosely connected events that begins with a stimulus and includes feelings, psychological changes, impulses to action and specific goal-directed behaviour.
In simple words: An emotion is the automatic physical and mental reaction triggered by an event, person or situation — before you are even consciously aware of it.
Key rule: Emotions create feelings. Feelings that persist become moods.
When emotions serve as communication between people, they are performing interpersonal functions:
In short: Our emotions are a communication tool that tells others what we need, what we intend, and how we feel.
Every emotional experience has five components that work together:
| Component | What It Means | Simple Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Affective (Subjective Feeling) | The conscious, personal experience of the emotion — what you actually feel inside | Feeling a wave of sadness |
| 2. Cognitive (Thinking) | Assigning meaning to the emotion — thinking about why it is happening and what it means | "My friend didn't come — they don't care about me" |
| 3. Physiological (Body Reaction) | Physical changes — sweating, fast heartbeat, tight chest, shaky hands | Palms sweating and heart beating fast during an exam |
| 4. Motivational (Action Tendency) | The push to do something — move toward or away. Can be voluntary or involuntary | Wanting to run away when scared. Pulling hand away from fire (involuntary) |
| 5. Expressive (Showing Emotion) | Showing emotions through facial expressions and body language | Smiling, crying, frowning, throwing something in anger |
| Emotion | Action Tendency |
|---|---|
| Anger | Attack |
| Fear | Escape |
| Disgust | Expel / Push away |
| Guilt | Make amends |
| Shame | Disappear / Hide |
| Sadness | Withdraw |
| Joy | Play / Celebrate |
| Interest | Explore |
SITUATION: Jhanvi's boss shouts at her for submitting a report with errors.
| Primary Emotions | Secondary Emotions |
|---|---|
| Basic, original emotional units | Made by mixing 2+ primary emotions |
| Hard-wired into every human being | Learned from culture and experience |
| Universal — same in all cultures | May differ across cultures |
| Only 8: Fear, Surprise, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, Anticipation, Joy, Trust | Very many — Plutchik identified 24+ |
| Example: Fear | Example: Contempt = Anger + Disgust |
The Cognitive Component of emotions determines judgments, predictions and analysis of thoughts. This component involves assigning meaning to an experienced emotion — thinking about why it is happening, what it means, and what might happen next. The cognitive component is where the mind evaluates and interprets emotional experiences.
Culture creates 'display rules' — unspoken rules about which emotions are acceptable to show, in what way, and in which situations:
Key takeaway: What emotion you feel may be universal, but HOW and WHETHER you show it is shaped by your culture.
Psychologist Robert Plutchik (2003) classified emotions into two types. He also created the famous Emotion Wheel to show how they relate to each other.
Emotions, thoughts and behaviour are deeply connected — they constantly influence each other in a cycle.
| If Your Thought Is... | Then Your Emotion Is... | And Your Behaviour Is... |
|---|---|---|
| "My friend is angry with me" | Confused / Concerned | Calmly ask "Why are you angry?" |
| "My friend is being rude" | Angry | Shout back at them |
The process of assigning personal meaning to an event is called cognitive appraisal. Your appraisal directly determines which emotion you feel and how strong it is.
| Emotion | What You Think (Appraisal) |
|---|---|
| Anger | You feel insulted or disrespected |
| Anxiety | You sense a threat or danger |
| Sadness | You have lost something important |
| Guilt | You feel you have broken a rule or hurt someone |
| Happiness | Things are going the way you want |
| Hope | You fear the worst but believe better is possible |
| Compassion | Someone else is suffering and you feel moved |
| Pride | You are connected to something valuable or achieved |
Just because you feel an emotion does NOT mean you will automatically act on it. These factors also shape what you do:
Formula: Emotion + Situation + Culture + Past Experience + Gender → BEHAVIOUR
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Emotion | A complex chain of events starting with a stimulus, including feelings, physical changes, impulses to action and goal-directed behaviour (Plutchik, 2001). |
| Feeling | A person's private, conscious experience of a specific emotion — the awareness of an emotion. |
| Mood | A low-intensity emotional state that lasts for a long period and may have no clear cause. |
| Primary Emotions | The 8 basic, hard-wired emotions that are universal across all humans and cultures. |
| Secondary Emotions | Complex emotions formed by combining two or more primary emotions; may be culture-specific. |
| Cognitive Appraisal | The personal meaning or interpretation you assign to an event, which gives rise to a specific emotion. |
| Action Tendency | The natural urge to take a particular action that comes along with an emotion (e.g., running when afraid). |
Emotions have five main components that work together to create a complete emotional experience:
Full Example (Jhanvi): Her boss shouts at her. Her heart races and palms sweat (physiological), she thinks "I might lose my job" (cognitive), she feels shame and anxiety (affective), her face turns red and eyes tear up (expressive), and she has the urge to run to the restroom (motivational).
| Primary Emotions | Secondary Emotions |
|---|---|
| Basic, independent emotional units | Made up of two or more primary emotions |
| Hard-wired and universal in all humans | Learned; may not be shared across cultures |
| Limited to 8: Fear, Surprise, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, Anticipation, Joy, Trust | Very numerous — Plutchik identified 24+ |
| Evolved to help humans survive | Formed through experience and cultural learning |
| Example: Anger | Example: Contempt = Anger + Disgust |
Emotions, thoughts and behaviour are inextricably linked — they constantly influence each other in a cycle:
Key point: The same event can produce different emotions and behaviours in different people simply because they interpreted it differently.
Example: Your friend shouts at you. If you think "they are upset" → confusion → calmly ask why. If you think "they are being rude" → anger → shout back.
Cognitive appraisal is the process of evaluating and interpreting the personal meaning of an event that results in a specific emotion. In simple words: it is how you make sense of what is happening and what it means for you.
Why is it useful?
Example: Your project gets rejected. Appraisal 1 — "I am a failure" → Sadness. Appraisal 2 — "This is feedback to improve" → Motivation. Same event, completely different outcome — just from changing the appraisal.
Emotions are BOTH potentially disruptive AND useful — it depends on how we use them.
Emotions are USEFUL when:
Emotions can be DISRUPTIVE when:
Conclusion: Emotions themselves are neither good nor bad. Their impact depends on our emotional intelligence — our ability to recognise, understand and manage them effectively.
Get high-quality, professionally printed study notes delivered to your home. Comprehensive, easy to read, and perfect for exam preparation!