Emotions

Emotions can have a big impact on how you think and act. The emotions you experience daily can compel you to act and influence the large and small decisions you make. Emotions can be fleeting, such as a burst of annoyance at a coworker, or long-lasting, such as mourning the loss of a relationship. But what causes us to feel emotions? What function do they play?

Emotions can motivate you to act
When faced with a tense exam, you may be concerned about how well you will perform and how the test will affect your overall grade. You may be more likely to study as a result of these emotional responses. Because you felt a certain emotion, you were motivated to take action and do something positive to improve your chances of getting a good grade.
You also have a tendency to take certain actions in order to experience positive emotions and reduce the likelihood of experiencing negative emotions. You might, for example, seek out social activities or hobbies that give you a sense of happiness, contentment, and excitement. On the other hand, you would probably avoid situations that could lead to boredom, sadness, or anger.

To be continued...