Some people, on the other hand, actually seek out fear-provoking situations. Social anxiety, for example, involves an anticipated fear of social situations. We can also develop a similar reaction to anticipated threats or even our thoughts about potential dangers, and this is what we generally think of as anxiety. Some people may be more sensitive to fear and certain situations or objects may be more likely to trigger this emotion.įear is the emotional response to an immediate threat. Of course, not everyone experiences fear in the same way. Physiological reactions: such as rapid breathing and heartbeat.Body language: attempts to hide or flea from the threat.Facial expressions: such as widening the eyes and pulling back the chin.Expressions of this type of emotion can include: This response helps ensure that you are prepared to effectively deal with threats in your environment. Your muscles become tense, your heart rate and respiration increase, and your mind becomes more alert, priming your body to either run from the danger or stand and fight. When you face some sort of danger and experience fear, you go through what is known as the fight or flight response. People have long believed that happiness and health were connected, and research has supported the idea that happiness can play a role in both physical and mental health.įear is a powerful emotion that can also play an important role in survival. The realities of what actually contributes to happiness are often much more complex and more highly individualized. For example, pop culture influences tend to emphasize that attaining certain things such as buying a home or having a high-paying job will result in happiness. While happiness is considered one of the basic human emotions, the things we think will create happiness tend to be heavily influenced by culture. Tone of voice: an upbeat, pleasant way of speaking.Body language: such as a relaxed stance.

This type of emotion is sometimes expressed through: Research on happiness has increased significantly since the 1960s within a number of disciplines, including the branch of psychology known as positive psychology.

Happiness is often defined as a pleasant emotional state that is characterized by feelings of contentment, joy, gratification, satisfaction, and well-being.

Of all the different types of emotions, happiness tends to be the one that people strive for the most.

How emotions are made