Decoding Human Emotions, Feelings, and Psychological Motivation

The Human Mind and Affective Expressions

The human being possesses intelligence. However, we think not only of intelligence but also of knowing feelings. Human beings have two minds: one that thinks and one that feels, and both interact with our emotional life. Affective expressions are distinguished as:

• Emotions
• Feelings
• Passions
• Motivations

Understanding Emotions

An emotion is a brief, sudden appearance, accompanied by physiological reactions and altered behavior. A common example is infatuation.

An emotion can trigger an unhealthy situation, such as distress. Anxiety is a fear where there are no real threats present.

The Nature of Feelings

The feeling is a more important affective expression. Its origin is often unclear and may have various reasons. Feelings are enduring and leave a mark, becoming part of one's personality. Feelings can be positive or negative.

The Spectrum of Love

There are different types of love; for instance, the love between a mother and child is not the same as couple's love. All forms of love share a common interest in the implied person.

Infatuation vs. Committed Love

Couple's love starts with being in love (infatuation). This phase is characterized by the feeling that:

• "The beloved is fundamental to me."
• "You cannot stop thinking about the loved one."

Falling in love transforms everything, dissolving wounds of the past; it enlarges and dilates the present, illuminating the future with new goals. When infatuation materializes, it transitions into a second phase: love. Love is commitment. To love is to pick and choose, foregoing other possibilities.

Friendship and Erotic Love

Friendship is a feeling born of the natural inclination to live, share, and nurture relationships. It is a reciprocal affection between people, strengthened by interaction, and is an unselfish relationship.

Erotic love is distinguished by its lower intensity and exclusivity compared to passion.

Passion and Obsession

Passion is characterized by the intensity of the emotion and the temporary effect of the feeling. It dominates reason and will, and may be related to anger, love, or other strong emotions. It can become pathological if it turns into obsession.

Motivation and Human Needs

Needs are factors that move us to action or the accomplishment of something. The human being has natural and artificial needs. Covering those needs defines the world of motivation.

Three Types of Motivation

There are three primary types of motivations:

1. Intrinsic (Interior): Driven by internal satisfaction. Example: "I want to look good in summer and push myself at the gym."
2. Extrinsic (Exterior): Driven by external rewards or approval. Example: "My parents approve and want me to have a motorcycle."
3. Transcendental: Driven by altruism or higher purpose. Example: "It is good to help those who have nothing, like an NGO."

Classification Based on Needs

Another classification of motivation is based on human needs:

• Primary Needs: Biological necessities (e.g., hunger, thirst).
• Secondary Needs: Learned needs, which include:
  • Security (need for a peaceful environment and protection).
  • Affection (need to love and be loved).
  • Self-esteem.
  • Self-actualization and transcendence.