Question

What are the three parts of an emotion?

Short answer

The three parts of an emotion are the subjective experience, the physiological response, and the behavioral response.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Components of Emotion

Emotions, as complex phenomena, are widely agreed by psychologists to have three distinct components. These are: the subjective experience, the physiological response, and the behavioral or expressive response.

Explain the Subjective Experience

The subjective experience refers to how we interpret the emotion on a personal level. Different individuals can interpret the same emotion differently based on their personal experiences and perspectives.

Understand the Physiological Response

The physiological response involves the physical changes that occur in our body when we feel an emotion. Examples can include changes in heart rate, respiration, and hormone levels.

Elaborate on the Behavioral Response

The behavioural response is how we express the emotion, often through actions or facial expressions. How we express our emotions can depend on a variety of factors, including cultural norms and personal habits.

Key concepts

Subjective Experience

Subjective experience is the personal and unique way each individual feels and interprets an emotion. This is the first component of emotion. It is shaped by our past experiences, cultural influences, and personal beliefs. For instance, the emotion of joy might be triggered by a beautiful sunset for one person, while another might experience joy simply by reading their favorite book.
When we feel an emotion, it’s like having a personal experience in our mind that nobody else can see or totally understand. This subjective experience helps determine how strong or clear an emotion feels to us. While someone might find a public speech exciting, another might feel anxious in the same situation. This shows how subjective experience can vary greatly between individuals, affecting how we live and interact with the world.

Physiological Response

The physiological response is all about how our bodies react when we feel emotions. These are the physical changes that our bodies go through during an emotional experience. They can be immediate and automatic. For example:

• An increased heart rate when feeling scared.
• Heavy breathing during excitement.
• Sweating when anxious or nervous.

These responses are part of our body's natural way of preparing us for action. For instance, the fight-or-flight response is a well-known physiological reaction that helps us either face a threat or escape from it. Our body is equipped with this response to keep us safe.
Different emotions are often linked to specific physiological responses, making it easier to pinpoint what we might be feeling based on these physical signs.

Behavioral Response

Behavioral response refers to how we express our emotions outwardly through our actions or facial expressions. This is what people around us can often see and interpret. Our behavioral responses can be:

• A smile showing happiness.
• A frown indicating sadness.
• An outburst of laughter revealing amusement.

Factors like personal habits and cultural norms significantly influence our behavioral responses. For instance, while some cultures encourage the open expression of emotions, others might value more restraint and subtlety.
It’s important to note that sometimes our true emotions can be different from what we express behaviorally. We might smile even when we are feeling sad, as a way to protect ourselves or due to social expectations. Understanding behavioral responses helps us connect and communicate effectively with others.