Phenomenological Descriptions

Surprise , in my view, is also an experience that is difficult to capture phenomenologically — as is, for example, the state of flow or joy as plenitude — but for different reasons. Flow and joy as plenitude are difficult to access because they are rare states, and flow , in particular, tends to dissolve the moment we try to observe it. Surprise , in turn, is not necessarily rare, but depends on a stimulus that is difficult to evoke voluntarily, making its occurrence unpredictable and hard to isolate for an investigative self-observation. The startle reflex — which can be seen as a reaction similar to surprise , though not identical — also depends on something unexpected, but it is easier to elicit, as it can be triggered by sudden, simple sensory stimuli, such as a loud sound or a quick movement. Even when we know a sound is about to occur, if we don't know exactly when it will happen, we can still experience the startle . Thus, surprise is different from other emotions that I ...

 Envy, Jealousy, Guilt, Pride and Admiration How do you feel emotions such as envy, jealousy, guilt, pride, and admiration? Before moving on to my phenomenological description of these experiences, I invite you to investigate for yourself: how do these emotions manifest in you? 〰 Description In general, my perception of so-called complex emotions is that many of them do not exhibit expressive characteristics or bodily sensations as clearly defined as those found in the so-called “ basic emotions .” However, some exceptions stand out. Shame , for example — considered by some theories to be a complex emotion — has a very clear and recognizable expressive configuration and bodily sensations ( see here ). Envy and Jealousy In my experience, envy and jealousy do not have phenomenological features distinct enough to differentiate them from basic emotions based solely on bodily sensation or expression. What seems to distinguish them are the cognitive appraisals involved and the contexts ...

I notice that there are different emotions that I can identify as a type of joy (what I generally refer to as such—something that brings a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure), and many of them are expressed with a smile. Serene Joy (felt as plenitude) It is when I feel my whole body in harmony, a calm "energy" flowing through it, with no "center of tension" being overloaded as in other emotions, nor an absence of feelings.  My breathing is soft, almost imperceptible. It feels effortlessly complete, as if I am not even breathing but simply being fully filled with life and oxygen.  The air seems to enter through my nostrils without touching their walls. I feel as if everything is possible, even doing nothing, just enjoying the pure sensation of peace, plenitude, calm, and well-being.  There is no specific motivation to act. Everything seems to make sense, everything fits together, everything is exactly as it should be. There is a sense of comfort and belonging to t...

Disgust at Smell, Sight, Texture, Taste, and Attitudes (Contempt) Disgust is a emotion that functions as a protective mechanism against potential sources of contamination or toxicity.  It can be triggered by sensory stimuli such as unpleasant odors, signs of decay, sticky or slimy textures, and aversive tastes.  Beyond its biological role, disgust is also involved in the experience of contempt — an emotion that arises in response to morally reprehensible behaviors, such as mean-spirited, cowardly, or dishonorable actions." Description When faced with a bad smell or the sight of something repulsive, I notice an immediate and distinct bodily reaction.  In the case of unpleasant odors, the intensity of the response varies depending on the degree of aversiveness.  A tension arises that pulls upward the area between the nose and the upper lip (where the nasolabial fold begins), causing it to wrinkle and lift — as if the face, for a moment, were trying to internally recoil...

Shame is an emotion associated with feelings of inadequacy, exposure, or fear of others' judgment.  It can arise in specific situations, such as when someone makes a mistake in public or becomes the target of ridicule.  Description In shame, I perceive a movement in the throat area that transmits tension to the face, producing an internal constriction at eye level, seemingly behind the glabella.  From that point, heat emerges (which may result in blushing), along with an impulse to hide it using my hands or a nearby object, such as a pillow or a book. This behavior can be disguised—sometimes, I might just scratch my forehead or nose, though the intention is the same.  At times, I may express it with a nervous smile, a serious expression, or something close to sadness.   Shyness is a personality trait or behavioral tendency characterized by social inhibition and discomfort in interactions with others.  Shy individuals may feel anxious when talking to st...

Description When I feel a certain type of sadness, I experience a sensation of tension in my throat, as if there were a lump.  This initial tension does not seem to be a way of holding back a cry but rather the beginning of one. It appears, in some way, to trigger tears, though I can suppress them by applying counter-tension in my throat.  In other types of sadness, where this lump does not form, tears do not appear either.  Sometimes, sadness remains at this stage—for example, when I get emotional while watching a sad movie.  In other cases, I also tend to tilt my head downward, as if it were being pulled down by the tension I feel in my chin, which also causes the corners of my mouth to droop further.  My movements become slower and more lethargic, my body feels heavier, weaker, somewhat limp, and loses its muscular tone (as a "dead weight").  This sadness diminishes my motivation to act, making me prefer to stay quietly in my own corner or, at times, see...

Description In one form of anger , I perceive a movement in the throat area that transmits tension to the upper part of the head , producing an unpleasant sensation of ' hot pressure' in this area.  This makes me tend to lean my head forward or clench it tightly. The movements of my hands, such as clenching my fists, seem to serve more as a way to express it and intensify it, with the purpose of releasing it.  Although the feeling of anger is not pleasant, sometimes the desire is to increase its strength rather than try to reduce it—unlike fear—in order to release it.  The breathing pattern changes, becoming more vigorous, and I notice that I exhale more forcefully than I inhale.  There is a sensation of increased body temperature , which causes sweating, and a tension that spreads to other parts of the body, making movements rougher.  The immediate impulse is to attack someone or myself (self-inflicted aggression) or to destroy something.  However, this ...

Description In a kind of fear , similar to the startle response, I perceive a movement in the throat area that shifts towards the solar plexus, transmitting a feeling of tension to that area, where I experience an unpleasant sensation of a ‘cold shock’.  This initially causes me to raise my body, as if in a state of alert .  As the sensation persists, I tend to adopt a hunched posture, bending over my abdomen, often placing my hands or arms, as if trying to relieve the discomfort.  The rhythm of my breathing changes, becoming more labored, and I notice that my nostrils feel colder, as do my hands and feet.  Depending on the intensity of the fear , I also notice accelerated heartbeats and sweating, especially in my hands.  The immediate impulse is to flee and hide. The fear , in some aspects, resembles the sensation of intense cold. Anxiety The sensations experienced in anxiety are very similar to those described above, following almost the same pattern.  Th...

Investigating the Emotional Process Emotions are a complex process that involve a series of components: Contextual:  stimulus, situation, culture; Neurophysiological:  activation of brain areas and structures, such as the amygdala, for example; Physiological:  changes in various bodily systems—respiratory, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, digestive, etc.; Expressive:  facial, vocal, and postural expressions; Motivational:  goals and action tendency; Functional:  preparing the organism for protection, overcoming obstacles, etc.; Behavioral:  approach, avoidance, fight, flight etc.; Cognitive:  evaluations, interpretations, conceptualizations; Experiential:  perceptions of internal sensations, desires, and impulses to act.  Each theory of emotion highlights one or more components as the most central elements of what emotions are, combining them in different ways. For Damasio (1994), for example, physiological changes are the central compo...