Which of the following is the best definition of emotions?
A)Emotions are feelings.
B)Emotions are states with physiological, cognitive, and behavioral components.
C)Emotions are physiological states that are mediated by environmental events.
D)Emotions are instinctive states of behavior that have ties to evolution and survival.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While emotions are certainly feelings, they are much more complex than that. Emotions involve physiological responses (e.g. changes in heart rate and breathing), cognitive changes (e.g. changes in attention and memory), and behavioral changes (e.g. facial expressions and body language). Option C is not entirely accurate, as environmental events can certainly influence emotions, but emotions are not solely mediated by them. Option D is partially true, as emotions do have evolutionary roots in terms of their adaptive value, but they are not solely instinctive and behavioral in nature.

Which of the Following Is the Best Definition of Emotions