Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The experience of emotion refers to the subjective feelings and sensations that we have when we are emotionally aroused. It involves our conscious awareness of emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust.
Physiological arousal refers to the bodily changes that occur during emotional experiences, such as increased heart rate, sweating, and changes in breathing. These physical responses often accompany our experience of different emotions.
Cognitive appraisal is the process by which individuals evaluate and interpret events or situations in their environment. It involves assessing whether something is beneficial or harmful to us, leading to different emotional responses.
Expressive Behavior: Expressive behavior includes facial expressions, body language, and other nonverbal cues that communicate our emotions to others. It plays a role in expressing and regulating our experience of emotion.