Feelings have a lot to do with emotions and mental states.
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What are feelings?
Feelings are largely the result of emotions . It is a clear way of framing the two concepts, and it is that emotions are first (and universal). Feelings, on the other hand, are mental reactions and associations derived from emotions.
For feelings there is an implication of cognitive activity. An emotion is an immediate psychophysiological reaction, independent of thought. To feel a feeling means, instead, to be aware of a certain affective state, or to exercise a thought directed to the awareness and significance of this state.
Feelings can vary greatly from person to person and from situation to situation. This is because feelings are shaped by individual temperament and experience. Two people can feel the same emotion, but use different names. It’s all a matter of interpretation.
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The 15 types of feelings (and their psychological characteristics)
The interpretation of emotions can give rise to different feelings , as well as the mental states of the moment. Below are the main types of feelings that can be experienced and their psychological characteristics.
1. Esperanza
Hope is based on the belief that goals or objectives can be achieved in the future . This feeling can act as a stimulus, providing motivation and energy that is directed precisely to achieve what is proposed. The confidence that the person has in himself or even an adverse situation are some of the triggers.
2. Sadness
Sadness appears in response to events considered undesirable . The person feels discouraged, desire to cry and low self-esteem. The main triggers of sadness are physical or psychological separation, loss, disappointment or situations of helplessness.
3. Joy
Joy is a feeling characterized by good humor and well-being . The person who feels joy tends to have a constructive and optimistic attitude. It can be a temporary state as a result of some specific event or a more habitual tendency related to the attitude in which a person leads his life.
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4. I hate
Hate expresses antipathy or aversion to something or someone . The main triggers are people or events that cause suffering or threaten the well-being of the person. This can be real or the result of an interpretation.
5. Culpa
Guilt is related to the belief of having transgressed ethical standards . They can be personal or social, and it is especially true if someone has been harmed. The main trigger is a fault or mistake (or the belief of having made one), which can result in remorse and bad conscience.
6. Happiness
Happiness is the positivity in which life is valued . The main triggers are the feeling of accomplishment on the part of the person. This occurs when he conquers the objectives he intends and experiences a congruence between what he wants and what he has.
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7. Frustration
This feeling appears when a person’s expectations are not met . It is not possible to achieve what is intended, and the higher the expectations, the greater the feeling of frustration.
8. Gratitude
Gratitude expresses the value placed on a favor or benefit someone has given . It is accompanied by the desire to reciprocate with the same treatment. It is triggered by one or different actions carried out by another person that are valued by many.
9. Resentment
Resentment is a feeling that expresses indignation . The main triggers are hostility towards a person, which can be indirect. It is expressed when the person perceives that another individual shows ungrateful attitudes towards him or a loved one around him.
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10. Amor
Love is the affection felt for a person, animal, object or idea . Subjective perceptions or assessments are some of the factors that determine this feeling. Other factors may be loneliness or insecurity.
11. Despair
Desperation expresses inability to get ahead . There is a subjective belief that there is little or no alternative to modifying an unpleasant situation. Some of the main triggers are a decline or deterioration of physical and/or psychological state, social isolation and long-term stress.
12. Rabia
Anger manifests itself when you feel very irritable . The person feels their rights violated, and the main triggers are situations in which a person may feel hurt, cheated or betrayed. It is often prevented from achieving a desired goal.
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13. Compassion
With compassion you feel sorry for another person . This may be suffering or in an unpleasant situation. Empathy plays an important role, and compassion can be felt for any human being, even if it is not a known person.
14. Jealousy
Jealousy is experienced as a sentimental betrayal by the loved one . It is a suspicion that this person feels love or affection for another person. Different situations can trigger this type of feeling, sometimes being interpreted but not real.
15. Worry
Worry is felt when some kind of fear is perceived . The person is uneasy and in case something negative occurs. It serves as an alarm signal, which warns about the proximity of a danger. This may perfectly not exist, and sometimes it is a consequence of feeling personal limitations to face certain situations.
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Bibliographic references
- Bar-Anan, Y., Wilson, T.D. y Gilbert, D.T. (2009). The feeling of uncertainty intensifies affective reactions. Emotion, 9 (1), 123–127.
- Castile, C. (2000). Theory of feelings. Barcelona: Tusquets Publishers, S.A.
- Haidt, J. (2010). The happiness hypothesis. The search for modern truths in ancient wisdom. Gedissa .
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
