Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Ekman's universal emotions theory is a concept in psychology that suggests there are six basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust) that are universally expressed and recognized across different cultures.
Related terms
Emotional intelligence: The ability to perceive and understand one's own and others' emotions accurately.
Cross-cultural psychology: The study of how cultural factors influence human behavior and mental processes.
Cultural norms: Shared expectations and beliefs within a specific cultural group that dictate appropriate behaviors and attitudes.
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