Emotional people: 10 characteristics that define them

Each person is different and each of us has different personality characteristics that make us unique. While some individuals are colder and show little of their feelings, others are quite the opposite: they are very sensitive.

In psychology it is known as emotional people, or highly sensitive persons (PAS) to those individuals who process sensory data more deeply due to the biological nature of their nervous system. At least this is what some experts on the subject have tried to demonstrate.

In this article we will talk about some traits and characteristics of emotional people.

The concept of emotional people

Surely all of us know someone who is very sensitive, since scientific studies seem to indicate that 1 in 5 people have this personality characteristic.

Some psychologists think that there is a type of individual called a “highly sensitive person” (PAS), a term coined by psychologist Elaine Aron in the early 1990s. This thought stems from the publication of her book "The Highly Sensitive Person", which made her a pioneer and main leader of this idea. Also

they have been called emotional people as a simplification of the concept.

What are highly emotional individuals like?

Sensitivity is a characteristic or trait that everyone has to some degree or another, but while some individuals are moderately sensitive, others are excessively so. In general, emotional people present a series of singularities:

• They process sensory data more deeply due to biological differences within the nervous system.
• Between 15 and 20% of people are emotional.
• The number of men and women who are highly sensitive is similar.
• Emotional people begin to show signs of such sensitivity from the moment of birth

If you want to know more about PAS, you can read our article: "Highly sensitive people (PAS), a new personality trait?”

Characteristics of emotional people

Studies seem to indicate that the high sensitivity personality trait appears in more than 100 animal species, and according to this theory, the reason is found in lin-depth processing, which is responsible for a greater propensity to over-stimulation, emotional reactivity, empathy and sensitivity to stimuli.

These types of people have a number of characteristics. To understand it better, below you can find 10 characteristics of emotional people:

1. They are very empathetic

These types of people are very sensitive to the emotions of others, and they easily put themselves in the place of the other, contrary to what happens with people narcissists. By feeling emotions more deeply and intensely, they also perceive what others feel more easily and are more sensitive to their feelings.

Empathy is undoubtedly one of the best qualities of the human being. However, in excess it can cause problems, for example, when making decisions in a rational way.

• Related article: "Are you empathetic? 10 typical traits of empathic people”

2. They are more intuitive

Emotional people tend to be very intuitive, since are more sensitive to context and are more connected to their emotions. Also, they have the ability to process environmental subtleties consciously or unconsciously, which is as if they process more information than others without even trying.

3. They are more creative

Studies show that these types of individuals are more creative. In fact, a large number of emotional people are attracted to and develop in creative fields such as art, music, dance, theater, etc.. If you want to know more about creativity, you can visit our article: "The 7 personality traits of creative people”

4. They take longer to make a decision

Since emotional people pick up more subtletiesThey typically spend more time thinking and processing information before participating and contributing to a discussion. They are usually people who reason more and, therefore, take longer to make a decision or take measures, because they are more aware of the consequences and nuances in the meaning of their decisions. They usually consider more options and possible outcomes before deciding.

5. They tend to feel misunderstood

We live in a society that tends to avoid emotions, where being sensitive is even frowned upon. These types of people tend to hear phrases like: "Don't worry so much", "You think too much", and so on. Emotional people can feel like they are misunderstood.

This is more noticeable in the case of men, who culturally have to give an image of strength and protection that does not always fit with that of a sensitive personality. PAS should not be confused with introversion or extraversion. In fact, while many emotional people are introverts, 30% of them are extroverts.

6. They are more respectful and polite

Emotional people are very conscientious and empathetic, therefore, they are respectful of others. By being more sensitive to the feelings of others, they do not like to do to others what they do not want for themselves. In addition, they better understand the reactions of others and how their behavior affects interpersonal relationships, so they tend to be more polite.

7. They are very sensitive to criticism

Being empathetic and being an emotionally sensitive person also means that the person accepts criticism worse. This happens because experience emotions more strongly and process information more deeplyfor both the good and the bad.

They find criticism very hurtful because they take it very seriously. Some often employ certain strategies to minimize the likelihood of being criticized. For example, they avoid situations where they may experience criticism or hang out with nice people.

8. They react in a very passionate way

Since emotional people experience life more intensely and feel more emotional pain than others. Therefore, they respond and react more intensely than others in a certain situation, since they have a greater response to pain, discomfort and emotional experience. They are people more susceptible to crying and react in a more passionate way.

9. They work well as a team

Since emotional people are reflective people and possess social skills such as empathy, often offer commitment, understanding and wisdom to a team project. Also, when it comes to making decisions, they are good at exploring different approaches and solutions, as well as analyzing the pros and cons. Now, perhaps they falter when making the final decision.

10. Are more susceptible to anxiety or depression

These types of people absorb positive emotions easily, but also negative ones. And is that unpleasant experiences affect everyone, but especially these people, who are more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression. These types of individuals tend to reflect and recreate their emotional side, so difficult situations also impact them much more and it is difficult for them to overcome them.