Stress & Types

Stress is a state of feeling of emotional strain and pressure. Pressure turns into stress when you feel unable to cope. A conscious or unconscious psychological feeling or physical situation which comes as a result of physical or mental positive or negative pressure to overwhelm adaptive capacities. In psychology, emotion is often defined as a complex state of feeling that results in physical and psychological changes that influence thought and behaviour.

Emotion is a subjective feeling and the experience of emotions are unique in nature and in degree of intensity like high, moderate and low and quality (happiness, anxiety and fear )

Each emotional state has three basic aspects

1. Cognitive

2. Physiological 

3. Behavioural/Cultural 

Cognitive Aspect :

Cognitive elements  such as the information processing , memory, including attention, executive functions, , decision-making, and judgment etc. plays vital role in the emotional state of an individual. This aspect involves thoughts, beliefs and expectations of a person in a specific area. For example the basic scientific knowledge about nature , symptoms, precautions and measures to be taken for COVID 19 pandemic will minimize the cognitive stress of an individual which may lead to low emotional state.  It is difficult to understand emotion without considering cognition. 

The degree of procedural knowledge and meta-cognitive knowledge regarding a particular problem reduces the pressure and stress when we face such types of problems in real situations. A comprehensive knowledge in the specific area we are facing helps to handle the problem with ease and without anxiety.

The anxious thoughts, fearful anticipation, poor concentration, difficulty with memory etc. leads to cognitive stress which in turn leads to psychological stress.

Physiological :

This state of emotion involves physiological elements like, stiff or tense muscles, grinding teeth, sweating, tension headaches, faint feelings, choking feeling, stomach-ache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, frequency and urgency of urination, loss of interest in sex, tiredness, weight loss or gain, increase in heart beat etc. When we are in a dilemma or in a conflict situation and gets angry, eyes become reddish,  nostrils and jaws stiffen, and our voice becomes loud, high pitched, heart beat raises. When we are afraid our eyelids are widely open and face turns pale, and knees may tremble. Increase in heartbeat and blood pressure occurs and sometimes slight stomach ache is also felt. Our neuro-system is the factor that generates varied type of physiological stress. The experience of emotions is a result of a series of neurophysiological activations. Therefore neuro-physical functioning of an individual decides the intensity of emotion and quality.

Behavioural/Cultural :

Psychologists largely have a notion that emotions, have strong biological ties and the most basic emotions are inborn and do not have to be learned. Learning plays an important role in emotions. Cultural demands and resources affect both situational demands and individual resources, both of which in turn affect the appraisal of stress. In addition, cultural beliefs and values influence not only individual beliefs and values, but also the reactions of others in the situation, which also affect the appraisal of stress. 

TYPES OF EMOTIONS

Universally experienced Basic Emotions identified psychologist Paul Eckman 

BASIC EMOTIONS

HAPPINESS

SADNESS

DISGUST

FEAR

SURPRISE

ANGER

PRIDE

SHAME

EMBARRASSMENT

EXCITEMENT

Wheel of emotions-Combined Emotions by psychologist Robert Plutchik  like primary colours mix together to form secondary colours.

Robert Plutchik created a wheel of emotions which consisted of 8 basic emotions  and 8 advanced emotions each composed of 2 basic ones as can be seen.

Emotions by psychologist Robert Plutchik

BASIC EMOTION	BASIC OPPOSITE
JOY	SADNESS
TRUST	DISGUST
FEAR	ANGER
SURPRISE	ANTICIPATION
SADNESS	JOY
DISGUST	TRUST
ANGER	FEAR
ANTICIPATION	SURPRISE

Robert Plutchik created a wheel of emotions which consisted of 8 basic emotions  and 8 advanced emotions each composed of 2 basic ones as can be seen.

Wheel of emotions-Combined Emotions

ADVANCED EMOTION	COMPONENTS	ADVANCED OPPOSITE
OPTIMISM	ANTICIPATION + JOY	DISAPPOINTMENT
LOVE	JOY + TRUST	REMORSE
SUBMISSION	TRUST + FEAR	CONTEMPT
AWE	FEAR + SURPRISE	AGGRESSIVENESS
DISAPPOINTMENT	SURPRISE + SADNESS	OPTIMISM
REMORSE	SADNESS + DISGUST	LOVE
CONTEMPT	DISGUST + ANGER	SUBMISSION
AGGRESSIVENESS	ANGER + ANTICIPATION	AWE

The basic types of emotions and  their impact on human behaviour.

Happiness :

The term happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states, including positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. It is also used in the context of life satisfaction, subjective well-being, flourishing and well-being. Happiness has been linked to a variety of outcomes of satisfaction.

Affection :

Affection or fondness is a disposition or state of mind or body that is often associated with a feeling or type of love. It has given rise to a number of branches of philosophy and psychology concerning emotion, disease, influen Affectionate responses are shown in an outgoing striving and approach behaviours and is expressed by patting, hugging, verbal expression, protecting and helping the loved one. ce, and state of being.

Sadness:

Sadness is an emotional pain associated with, or characterized by, feelings of disadvantage, loss, despair, grief, helplessness, disappointment and sorrow. An individual experiencing sadness may become quiet or lethargic, and withdraw themselves from others. The prolonged and  severe exposure of sadness can turn into depression.

Fear :

An unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm. This response helps ensure that you are prepared to effectively deal with threats in your environment.

Anxiety:

Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress. It's a feeling of fear or apprehension about what's to come. Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns.

Disgust :

A feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval aroused by something unpleasant or offensive. A strong feeling of disapproval and dislike at a situation, person's behaviour, etc. People can also experience moral disgust when they observe others engaging in behaviors that they find distasteful, immoral, or evil.

Anger :

Anger can be defined as a feeling of annoyance, displeasure. It is a powerful emotion characterized by feelings of hostility, agitation, frustration, and antagonism towards others.

Surprise :

Surprise is a physiological state, a sudden response experienced by humans as the result of an unexpected event. Surprise can have any valence; that is, it can be neutral, moderate, pleasant, unpleasant, positive, or negative.

Eckman later added a number of other emotions such as amusement, contentment, excitement, contempt, embarrassment, relief, pride in achievement, guilt, satisfaction, shame etc.

Let me conclude,

The emotional state of stress and pressure, its psychological physiological as wells as behavioural aspects briefed here. The types of emotions by various psychologists along with its combination &  wheeling of emotions also discussed.

“But feelings can't be ignored, no matter how unjust or ungrateful they seem.”

― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl.