Emotions are a fundamental part of our daily lives and affect the way we think, act and relate to others. However, the way we experience and manage emotions varies from person to person, depending on factors such as personality, previous experiences and environment. Koncha Pinos, an expert in neuroscience and emotional well-being, has proposed a comprehensive model to understand how emotions are evoked, intensified and maintained over time. This model, known as the emotional reaction profile, is broken down into three levels: threshold, intensity and duration. Through these three components, we can understand how emotions arise and how we can manage them more effectively.
The Three Levels of the Emotional Reaction Profile.
1. The Threshold: The Trigger of the Emotional Response
The threshold is the first level at which an emotion is activated in response to an external or internal stimulus. This level represents the point at which the perception of a situation is transformed into an emotional reaction. The threshold varies significantly from person to person: some people have a low threshold, which means that they react emotionally to stimuli that others may overlook. For example, an innocent criticism may trigger a strong emotional response in someone with a low threshold, while another person, with a higher threshold, may not be disturbed by the same comment.
The threshold is influenced by several factors, such as the person’s emotional sensitivity, his or her general emotional state, past experiences, and expectations regarding the environment. People with a low threshold are more likely to experience quick emotions and immediate reactions to situations perceived as threatening or stressful, while people with a high threshold may be more resistant to emotional stimuli.
Example: A person who has had negative experiences with criticism may have a low threshold for criticism, feeling anger or frustration at even mild criticism. In contrast, another person who has learned to receive criticism constructively may be unaffected by the same situation.
2. The Intensity of the Emotion: The Strength of the Emotional Response
Once the emotion has been evoked by the stimulus, the second level comes into play: the intensity of the emotion. This level refers to how strong an emotional response the person experiences. The intensity can vary considerably depending on the situation and the nature of the emotion. Some emotions are experienced with great intensity, while others may be milder.
Intense emotions can have significant effects on behavior and decision making, as they can generate impulsive or defensive reactions. For example, anger or fear often generate more intense responses than surprise or sadness, which can be experienced in a milder way.
Managing emotional intensity is crucial to psychological well-being. People who are able to recognize and moderate the intensity of their emotions tend to be better able to make rational decisions and maintain healthy relationships.
Example: A person who receives constructive criticism may feel mild discomfort (low intensity) and then quickly calm down. However, someone with higher emotional sensitivity may experience intense anger (high intensity) that can last much longer.
3. The Duration of the Emotion: The Persistence of the Emotional Response.
The third level is the duration of the emotion, which refers to how long the emotional response persists once it has been evoked and intensified. Some emotions, such as joy or surprise, are short-lived and disappear quickly. However, other emotions, such as anger or sadness, may persist for a prolonged period, affecting the person’s quality of life and interpersonal relationships.
Emotions that are resolved quickly and are not sustained over time are easier to manage. However, when emotions are prolonged, they can lead to chronic emotional states such as anxiety, depression or resentment. The ability to process and release emotions appropriately is crucial to maintaining a healthy emotional balance.
Example: After a disagreement with a friend, a person may feel hurt for a short period of time and then get over the situation. On the other hand, a person who fails to process the emotion may feel hurt for weeks, affecting his or her overall well-being.
Excessive Control vs. Insufficient Control: The Balance in Emotional Regulation.
A fundamental part of the emotional reaction profile is how a person manages his or her emotions. Emotional control can range between two extremes: excessive control and insufficient control.
– Excessive Control: This phenomenon occurs when a person consistently represses or inhibits his or her emotions. While this may appear to be an adaptive mechanism in certain situations (e.g., at work or in the social context), excessive control can lead to the accumulation of unprocessed emotions, which can result in stress, anxiety, or health problems. Repressing emotions prevents their resolution and can lead to internal tensions.
– Insufficient Control: Insufficient control refers to the inability to moderate emotional responses, leading to impulsive or disproportionate reactions. People with insufficient control of their emotions may experience outbursts of anger, sadness or frustration, which can affect their relationships and their ability to make rational decisions.
Emotional balance lies somewhere in between, where emotions are recognized, processed and expressed in a healthy way without being repressed or overwhelmed. The key is proper emotional regulation, which allows people to adapt to circumstances without losing control.
Primary and Secondary Emotions: The Origin and Complexity of Our Emotional Responses
Emotions are divided into primary emotions and secondary emotions, which are distinguished by their origin and complexity.
– Primary Emotions: These are automatic, innate and universal emotional responses that all human beings experience. Primary emotions include anger, fear, joy, sadness, surprise and disgust. These emotions are usually brief and have an immediate adaptive function, such as protecting us from a threat or facilitating connection with others.
– Secondary Emotions: These are more complex and arise as an interpretation or reflection on the primary emotions. Secondary emotions include shame, jealousy, envy, guilt and contempt. These emotions are often the result of thoughts and judgments about oneself or others, and can be more enduring than primary emotions.
Example:
– Anger (primary): A person may feel anger at being treated unfairly in a meeting.
– Shame (secondary): After feeling anger, the person may feel ashamed of how he/she reacted, which generates a more complex secondary emotion.
Key Emotions in Emotional Regulation
1. Anger: It is a primary emotion that can be overflowing if not handled properly. Anger can lead to secondary emotions such as resentment or revenge if not processed.
2. Joy: It is a primary emotion that promotes well-being and connection with others. However, if it is associated with unfulfilled expectations, it can turn into frustration or disappointment.
Fear: The primary emotion of fear is useful for protection, but if it becomes chronic, it can lead to secondary emotions such as anxiety or phobia.
4. Surprise: This is a primary emotion that can trigger a more complex emotional reaction, such as disappointment or wonder, depending on the interpretation of the event.
5. Disgust: Disgust is a primary emotion that protects against exposure to dangerous substances. If mixed with social or personal judgments, it can turn into contempt.
6. Love: Love is a deep primary emotion that can trigger secondary responses such as jealousy or possessiveness if not handled with balance.
7. Sadness: Sadness is a primary emotion commonly experienced in the face of loss. If not processed, it can transform into secondary emotions such as depression or melancholy.
8. Contempt: It is a secondary emotion that involves a negative evaluation of others, often related to disdain or superiority.
9. Jealousy: It is a complex secondary emotion that mixes fear, anger and sadness.
10. Envy: Envy is a secondary emotion linked to sadness and the desire to have what another possesses.
11. Shame: Shame is a deep secondary emotion that is often considered the “mother of all emotions” because of its ability to trigger a feeling of inadequacy and self-criticism.
The proposed emotional reaction profile offers us a structured view to understand how emotions are evoked, intensified and persist over time. Knowing the three levels of emotional reaction-threshold, intensity and duration-helps us to become more aware of our emotional responses and to manage them more effectively. Through proper emotional regulation, we can avoid the extremes of over- and under-control, allowing us to live in a more balanced and healthy way. In addition, by understanding the relationship between primary and secondary emotions, we can work on their processing and resolution, fostering greater emotional intelligence in our relationships.
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