Basic Emotions And Plutchik’s Wheel Of Emotions
1. Basic Emotions Classified by Paul Ekman
Paul Ekman, a renowned psychologist, identified a set of basic emotions that are universally recognized
across different cultures. These emotions are considered biologically innate and are associated with
distinct facial expressions. The commonly accepted six basic emotions according to Ekman are the
following:
1. Happiness
Happiness is a positive emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, contentment, satisfaction, and
well-being. It often arises from pleasurable experiences or the fulfillment of needs and desires. Facial
expressions of happiness typically include smiling and relaxed features.
2. Sadness
Sadness is an emotion associated with feelings of loss, disappointment, grief, or helplessness. It may
occur after experiencing failure, separation, or unfavorable events. Common facial expressions include
downturned lips, drooping eyelids, and reduced energy.
3. Fear
Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat or danger. It prepares the body for survival by
triggering the “fight-or-flight” response. Fear is often expressed through widened eyes, raised eyebrows,
and a tense facial expression.
4. Anger
Anger is an emotion experienced when a person feels frustrated, threatened, treated unfairly, or
wronged. It can range from mild irritation to intense rage. Facial expressions of anger may include
furrowed brows, tightened lips, and glaring eyes.
5. Disgust
Disgust is a strong feeling of revulsion or extreme dislike, often triggered by unpleasant stimuli such as
spoiled food, bad odors, or morally offensive behavior. This emotion serves a protective function by
helping individuals avoid potential harm. Typical expressions include a wrinkled nose and raised upper
lip.
6. Surprise
Surprise is a brief emotional reaction to unexpected events or situations. It can be either positive or
negative, depending on the outcome. Facial expressions of surprise usually involve raised eyebrows,
widened eyes, and an open mouth.
2. The Wheel of Emotions by Robert Plutchik
The Wheel of Emotions, developed by psychologist Robert Plutchik, is a visual model that explains how
emotions are related to one another. Plutchik proposed that emotions are not isolated experiences but
exist in varying intensities and combinations.
Plutchik identified eight primary emotions: joy, trust, fear, surprise, sadness, disgust, anger, and
anticipation. These emotions are arranged in a circular wheel, similar to a color wheel. Emotions that are
opposite each other on the wheel are considered emotional opposites (for example, joy is opposite
sadness, and trust is opposite disgust).
The wheel also demonstrates emotional intensity. Emotions near the center of the wheel are more
intense (such as ecstasy or rage), while those toward the outer edges are milder forms (such as serenity
or annoyance). In addition, Plutchik explained that complex emotions can result from the combination of
two primary emotions. For example, joy and trust combine to form love, while fear and surprise combine
to form awe.
Overall, Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions helps people understand the complexity of human emotions, how
emotions vary in strength, and how they can blend together to create more complex emotional
experiences.