Emotional Reaction

Definition

An emotional reaction is a response to a particular situation that involves feelings, changes in physiological state, and changes in behavior.

Analogy

Think of an emotional reaction like a weather forecast. Just as the weather can change based on different factors (like temperature or humidity), your emotions can change based on different situations you encounter. For example, if someone surprises you with a gift (a sunny day), you might feel happy and excited. But if someone insults you (a stormy day), you might feel angry or upset.

Related terms

Affect: This refers to the experience of feeling or emotion.

Mood: This is a temporary state of mind or feeling that differs from emotion as it doesn't have to be linked to a specific event.

Emotional Intelligence: This is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict.