The 8 differences between primary and secondary emotions

Understanding emotions as cognitive, physiological and motor reactions to stimuli that produce an effect on the subject, we can divide them into primary or secondary according to the characteristics that show.

In this article we will talk about the characteristics of emotions, focusing on the distinction between primary and secondary emotions.

• Related article: "Emotional psychology: main theories of emotion"

What do we understand by emotion?

Emotions are psychophysiological reactions, that is, there is a bodily activation and a response mental, before different stimuli that are present in the environment, such as an object, an action or a person. We must understand them as a complex response, of short duration, where different components participate: the cognitive, linked to the most subjective sensation; the physiological, as we have already said of bodily activation and the motor, how emotion is expressed.

Thus we can divide them between emotions that produce positive sensations (joy), negative (disgust, sadness, fear and anger) or neutral (surprise). All emotions, regardless of their characteristics,

fulfill three functions. They are: adaptive (they allow us to know how we feel and be able to adjust to the environment that surrounds us), social (they facilitate the communication with other individuals), and motivational (direct our behavior and help us to be persistent in achieving goals). our goals).

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Main differences between primary and secondary emotions

We can distinguish between primary emotions, also called basic or secondary, also known as social, according to the different characteristics that show their origin, the pattern of response they present, if they are repeated, if they are shown by everyone... Below we will see in more detail what the main features of each one are and what they are used for. distinguish.

1. Origin of each emotion

Primary emotions are innate, in other words, they are observed from the birth of the individual, from a very young age he already shows them without needing prior learning. On the other hand, secondary emotions, as their other name, social, indicates, are learned when the individual interacts with his social environment. That is, we are not born with them, we need the environment to develop them.

2. when they show

Linked to the previous point, we will say that primary emotions appear as the brain matures and develops. By comparison, secondary emotions will emerge later, starting at age 2 1/2 to 3 years.. This is due to the need, of the latter type, for the subject to socialize and be able to internalize different social norms.

3. way to express them

In the case of primary emotions, they have their own unique mode of expression.. That is, the mode of facial expression is linked to a single basic emotion. On the contrary, secondary emotions do not present their own expression pattern and can be shown in a more variable way.

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4. Universality

There is consensus among different authors in considering a group of emotions as universal, observing in the different cultures and countries of the world.

Thus, if we take into account the traits described so far, it is easy to deduce that the ones that are universally displayed are the primary or basic, since they have no external influence and are presented in all subjects equally, everyone is capable of expressing them and recognize them.

In contrast, secondary emotions may appear in some cultures or social groups and not be displayed or recognized in others.

4. Easy to recognize

As we have already seen, primary emotions have their own unique mode of expression, for this reason it will be easy to identify them and everyone will be able to recognize them. In contrast, the distinction or identification of secondary emotions is not as clear and there may be more confusion when recognizing them.

5. Need for a trigger

In general, primary emotions need a specific trigger, of an external stimulus, that produces a psychophysiological reaction in the subject. In contrast, secondary emotions, despite being able to show a stimulus that precipitates them, this may not be so clear or there may even be no such stimulus.

6. functionality

Both types of emotions, primary and secondary, can be adaptive and functional, depending, for example, on the intensity with which they are manifested; when this is excessive, it is not proportional to the situation experienced, it can affect the functionality of the subject.

In addition, the function of primary emotions is linked to the ability to survive, allowing the individual to act according to external events and adapt to them, bringing us closer or further away.

For its part, secondary emotions serve a more social function, allow us to communicate with the subjects of our environment and live in society.

• Related article: "What is social psychology?"

7. Complexity

Primary emotions are considered simpler, they cannot be broken down into more elementary or basic sensations. In contrast, secondary emotions are considered more complex, since they originate from the combination of different primary emotions.

8. Relationship with self-awareness

Regarding secondary emotions, they need self-awareness, the appearance of personal identity, in order to display them. As we have pointed out, they arise from social interaction, generating different emotions depending on what the situation arouses in us or depending on what we value or what society values ​​as good or bad. We need to take responsibility for our actions in order to experience these kinds of emotions.

Contrary, primary emotions do not need this knowledge of self or social norms or considerations, will arise unintentionally according to the events that occur.

What emotions are classified in each category?

Described the main features of the two emotions, We will now classify which emotions fall into each category and what their characteristics are. more representative.

primal emotions

Within the primary emotions are all those that are present in all cultures and that everyone is able to identify and express in their own unique way.

1. Joy

Joy is identified as a positive emotion appearing before a stimulus that we like. Linked to the motor expression, joy is usually manifested with a smile, when this is true we know it as a smile of Duchenne or genuine, where a contraction of the zygomaticus major and minor muscle that covers the mouth is observed, thus producing the corners of the lips rise and the orbicularis muscle, causing the cheeks to rise and the eyes to become smaller and generate wrinkles near them.

Physiologically, there is an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. also increasing the levels of immunoglobulin A, related to the defense reaction against infections.

2. The sadness

Sadness is classified as a negative emotion, being considered the most aversive. Normally it occurs in situations of separation from a loved one or failure, events that cause us emotional pain. To a certain degree, we consider it functional, since it directs and drives the subject who suffers from it to solve the situation or face it better.

In the typical facial expression of sadness we observe the drooping upper eyelids, the eyebrows at an angle and the frown, with the lips horizontally.

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3. The fear

Fear is considered a negative emotion that is activated by a stimulus or situation that causes us fear, that terrifies us. Thus, we see how it also acts as an adaptive reaction, alerting us to stimuli that may be dangerous, facilitating survival behaviour.

Fear is expressed automatically by the tightening of the lower eyelids and the opening of the mouth, with the corners retracted horizontally.

• Related article: "What is fear? Characteristics of this emotion"

4. The wrath

Anger is a negative emotion that arises when the individual believes that an event has occurred that harms or negatively affects her interests, interpreting that this event has been done intentionally or negligently and it could have been avoided. Anger shows a tense facial expression with brows drawn together, a staring gaze, and gritted teeth.

5. Disgust

Disgust or disgust is experienced in the face of a stimulus that causes us aversion, this being an adaptive reaction, since It motivates us to avoid contaminated or spoiled objects or food, which can harm our health.. It is usually expressed with contraction of the muscles of the nose and slightly closed eyes.

6. The surprise

surprise is considered a neutral emotion that arises quickly in the face of an unexpected stimulus, which the subject had not anticipated. The facial expression is raised upper eyelids and dropped jaw, with a slightly open mouth.

secondary emotions

As we already know, secondary emotions are made up of combinations of primary emotions. For this reason, the number of these will be much higher and the easy expressions will be more variable. Some of the secondary emotions are: shame, guilt, jealousy, arrogance, or pride.