Difference Between Feelings and Emotions

The terms "emotions" and "feelings" are frequently used interchangeably. Emotions and feelings are distinct even if they are the same on two different levels. Understanding the difference between emotions and feelings is crucial to comprehend our mental architecture and how it influences our behavior.

Feelings are the mental connections and responses to the emotions our body experiences in response to external stimuli. The clear difference between emotions and feelings is that whereas feelings are mental connections, emotions are bodily sensations.

Emotion

The human experience involves emotions. They are physical and instinctual since they result from our bodies' reactions to external stimuli. For example, you could experience various feelings in new surroundings, including curiosity and terror.

Emotions initially helped our ancestors in surviving on earth by causing fast reactions to danger, pleasure, and all other environmental stimuli. These emotional responses have been incorporated into our genes over time. All humans experience emotions, yet there may be subtle differences based on the person and the situation. Even animals have feelings.

For example, when you call your dog's name, he may always wag his tail; this is a sign that the dog is feeling emotion.

As emotions are physical states, physical signs like facial expressions, body language, blood flow, etc., may be used to detect them. Let's study the emotion of fear. It is a reaction to an impending threat. Many bodily responses, such as shortness of breath, a racing heartbeat, tightness of the muscles, etc., can also be noticed.

It is crucial to understand that since emotions are controlled by the limbic system, distinct from the neocortex, which controls cognition, conscious thought, and decision-making, they are seen as illogical, unreasonable, and irrational.

Feeling

Emotional responses and mental connections are known as feelings. Personal experience, ideas, and recollections all frequently have an impact on feelings.

As emotions are subjectively perceived and shaped by human experience and memory, their related feelings may differ from circumstance to circumstance or person to person. "Feelings are mental perceptions of bodily states, which develop when the brain interprets emotions, themselves physical states emerging from the body's reactions to external stimuli," says Dr. Antonio D'Amasio.

Emotions and Feelings differ from one another

Some Key Points about Feelings and Emotions

1. Humans experience both feelings and emotions as physical experiences.

2. Emotions come from your intellect and potentially your soul, whereas external events prompt feelings.

3. Feelings might encompass both physical sensations and mental states, but emotions always originate in the mind.

4. Emotions last for years because they are ingrained in your memory, whereas feelings are frequently fleeting and go away after the trigger is passed.

Types of Emotion

1. Fear

Why do some individuals love riding roller coasters that make their hearts race and viewing terrifying movies? Fear is a strong feeling that makes us feel alert and prepared to act, and it also creates bodily reactions like a rapid heartbeat and sweating.

Fear can also be a warning when you're about to enter or are currently in a potentially dangerous scenario. Although the adrenaline junkies among us may like this emotional state's momentary surge and mental clarity, most individuals (and animals) will go to extremes to prevent terrifying circumstances.

2. Absence of respect

It makes no difference whether the lack of respect is apparent or covert. Either way, it always ends relationships. It entails considering oneself superior to others and putting yourself above them.

Depending on the situation (like when a supervisor you don't respect tells you what to do), you might rarely or infrequently experience disdain or feel it virtually often. If you do, it's challenging for you to make friends and cultivate wholesome connections.

3. Sadness

Although it may not always be simple to tell whether someone is unhappy, sadness is ordinary. Someone else could lash out and mix their melancholy with fury, while you might keep your sadness to yourself and dwell on it for days. Said sadness is a sensation along the unpleasant spectrum. You can experience minor disappointment if your favorite restaurant removes a dish you like from their menu, or you might experience extreme sadness if a loved one passes away.

4. Anger

Compared to fear or sorrow, which are more lonely feelings, anger is a more active emotion directed against something or someone. But anger isn't always harmful. An angry individual may try to resolve their issue by verbally or physically attacking others. When we are angry, we can better understand when we are worn, exhausted, deceived, or let down by someone else.

5. Happiness

Pleasure or joy can happen while you're alone, but it usually involves and is shared with others you like or love. When you're happy, you can experience a surge of pleasure, feel closer to others, and have positive feelings about the world and yourself.

6. Surprise

A quick, natural response to something unexpected is a surprise. No matter one's beliefs or cultural background, it's simple to spot a person astonished by their wide-eyed expression of surprise, even if it only lasts for a few moments.

7. Disgust

You often feel disgusted in response to unpleasant or undesirable circumstances. Like anger, disgust may serve as a shield against situations you wish to avoid.

It may cause issues if it makes you despise anyone, including yourself, or circumstances that aren't particularly harmful to you.

Feelings and Emotions: Commonly Asked Questions

Question 1: What causes our emotions?

Answer: Emotions control every living cell to respond to evolving risks and possibilities. They supply the basic information we need to function in the environment around us.

Question 2: Why do humans experience emotion?

Answer: Emotions are how we start to understand emotion; they help us pay attention and take action in response to threats or opportunities that are seen. Based on emotional data, we take action.

Question 3: Emotion: What Is It?

Answer: The physiological response to a perceived stimulus is immediate. During around six seconds, chemicals are released throughout our bodies.

Question 4: What is Feeling, exactly?

Answer: the signs that develop as we internalize emotions on a physical and mental level. The emotion molecules that make our feelings are cognitively saturated.

Question 5: Mood: What Is It?

Answer: While we go about our daily lives, moods are a combination of feelings and emotions; moods are the mental, bodily, and emotional condition that is only marginally persistent.

Question 6: How are feelings and emotions different from one another?

Answer: Feelings are experienced consciously, whereas emotions might appear consciously or unconsciously. This crucial difference between the two is important. Some people may live their entire lives without entirely realizing the depths of their feelings.