Emotions
How do we classify emotions? It's complicated, and there is no easy consensus. We can catalog our own experiences and then try to find a system that makes some sense. Here are two starting points:
Emotions - Stanford Encyclopedia
Classification of Emotions - Wikipedia
Talking about our emotions can be challenging — especially if you grew up thinking only in terms of simple emotions, or in dichotomies: feeling good or bad, or feeling happy or sad. Emotions aren’t good or bad, but they are complicated. They are a core part of who you are. It’s important and valuable to be able to notice them, name them, and talk about them.
You cannot selectively numb emotions. It’s not possible to feel full joy without also experiencing sorrow; feel optimism without acknowledging the potential of what could go wrong; or see light without understanding darkness.
A colorful wheel containing different emotions with variations (based on intensity) of each emotion
Robert Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions is a conceptual framework that categorizes human emotions into a wheel structure. The wheel outlines eight primary emotions: joy, trust, fear, surprise, sadness, disgust, anger, and anticipation — and asserts that they each have a polar opposite. Take, for instance, joy versus sadness.
Plutchik’s model also posits that these primary emotions can combine to form secondary emotions — coined as “emotional dyads.” An example of this is how joy and trust can combine to create love.
Paul Ekman’s theory of basic emotions and their expressions proposes that we have six basic emotions: sadness, happiness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust. You can explore the Atlas of Emotions interactive website
The following list of 100 emotions is categorized into a psychoanalytic framework and contains more detailed definitions:
I. Primitive/Survival Emotions
Fear - An anxious feeling triggered by perceptions of danger or threat.
Anger - A strong feeling of displeasure, hostility and antagonism towards a perceived offense or harm.
Disgust - An intense feeling of revulsion or profound disapproval towards something offensive.
Sadness - A feeling of sorrow, unhappiness and grief over loss, disappointment or unfulfilled needs.
II. Pleasure/Pain Emotions
Joy - An intense feeling of happiness, delight, and inner contentment.
Ecstasy - An overwhelming feeling of rapturous delight often related to the senses or mystical experience.
Euphoria - An intense feeling of excitement, elation and joyful exhilaration.
Shame - An painful emotion stemming from negative self-evaluation against social standards.
Humiliation - The profound mortification and distressed caused by severe attacks on one's dignity.
Anguish - Severe emotional distress caused by grief, guilt, or remorse over a tragic event or misdeed.
III. Self/Ego Emotions
Pride - A satisfied sense of attachment and confidence in one's own abilities and accomplishments.
Confidence - An assured reliance and trust in one's own abilities, decisions, and judgements.
Hope - An optimistic attitude and expectation that something desired will happen in the future.
Inferiority - A feeling that one is inadequate or incompetent compared to standards or others.
Insecurity - Self-doubt, anxiety and uncertainty in one's own judgement and capabilities.
Embarrassment - An awkward and self-conscious feeling arising from potential social disapproval.
IV. Interpersonal Emotions
Love - An intense feeling of affection, attachment and fondness for someone.
Lust - A strong sexual appetite and physical attraction towards someone.
Longing - An aching for the presence or company of someone who is emotionally or physically distant.
Hate - An intense feeling of hostility, loathing, animosity and revulsion towards someone.
Contempt - A profound lack of respect, disgust or disdain for someone considered unworthy.
Hostility - A confrontational, unfriendly and antagonistic attitude and feeling towards someone.
V. Social Emotions
Kindness - The quality of being considerate, generous and helpful in relating to others.
Politeness - Respectful courtesy and manners in behavior towards others.
Trust - A confident reliance and faith that someone or something is honest, reliable and effective.
Jealousy - A resentful suspicion, protectiveness and envy over the status, success or advantages held by another.
Envy - Painful desire for the skills, possessions, or success that someone else has.
Resentment - Bitter indignation and hurt from perceived mistreatment, insult or malicious action from another.
Shyness - Discomfort, inhibition and lack of confidence in social situations, especially around unfamiliar people.
Shame - Painful feeling of humiliation from failing personal or social standards of behavior and character.
Guilt - Remorseful self-reproach over believing one has committed a wrong or moral transgression.
VI. Loss/Separation Emotions
Grief - Deep sadness from the loss of a loved one through death, separation or broken relationship.
Melancholy - Pensive sadness with acceptance and introspection following loss or disappointment.
Regret - Disappointment and distress about mistakes made or missed opportunities in the past.
Nostalgia - Bittersweet longing for idealized happy times in the past.
VII. Critical Thinking Emotions
Interest - Engagement and concern about something that stimulates curiosity.
Anticipation - An eager expectation and excitement about a future event.
Surprise - Astonishment from an unexpected event that went against assumptions.
Confusion - Lack of understanding, clarity and order about something complex.
Disbelief - Inability or reluctance to accept something as true or factual.
Curiosity - A desire to investigate, learn and understand more about something unfamiliar.
VIII. Self-Conscious Emotions
Self-pity - Excessive focus and complaint about one's own disappointments.
Insecurity - Self-doubt and lack of confidence in one's own worth and abilities.
Angst - A constant sense of dread, anxiety, frustration and helplessness.
Compassion - Deep empathy and concern for those suffering, with a desire to alleviate it.
Forgiveness - Willingness to pardon those who have caused harm while letting go of resentment.
Gratitude - Appreciation and thankfulness for benefits and gifts received.
IX. Existential Emotions
Awe - Reverential wonder inspired by encounter with great beauty, sublimity or grandeur.
Wonder - Astonishment and awe at something inexplicable, mysterious and beyond comprehension.
Optimism - Confidence that the future will unfold in a positive way despite uncertainties.
Despair - Utter loss of hope and a giving up in the face of obstacle that seem beyond control.
Frustration - Irritation and impatience from being unable to change or achieve a desired goal.
Anger - A strong feeling of displeasure, hostility and antagonism towards a perceived offense or harm.
X. Aesthetic Emotions
Admiration - High regard and praise for the outstanding abilities, achievements or qualities of another.
Reverence - Deep respect, awe and deference towards someone or something considered sacred.
Inspiration - Stimulation of creative imagination and excitement to pursue meaningful endeavors.
Disgust - Strong aversion or revulsion towards something considered distasteful, offensive or grotesque.
Boredom - Dissatisfaction and weariness from a lack of interesting mental or sensory stimulation.