When we say emotions are ""functional,"" what do we mean?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When we say emotions are "functional," we mean that they serve a purpose in motivating us to respond to stimuli with biologically adaptive behavior. Emotions help us make decisions and respond to situations in ways that increase our chances of survival and reproduction. However, this does not mean that paying attention to our emotions always leads to the best decision, nor does it require high-functioning cognitive capacities. While scientists do study the neural mechanisms involved in different emotions, this is not the primary reason why emotions are considered functional.

When We Say Emotions Are ""Functional,"" What Do We Mean