While we often use the terms “feelings” and “emotions” interchangeably, assuming their equivalence, it’s crucial to recognize that they are distinct phenomena, not synonymous. At their core, feelings are kinesthetic experiences, representing physical sensations within the body. When these sensations occur internally, we refer to them as proprioception; when originating externally, they are termed sensations or feelings.
Emotions encompass and involve feelings but extend beyond them. To experience an emotion, cognitive thoughts, as discussed in previous articles, are essential.
Kinesthetic sensations encompass a broad spectrum of bodily experiences, including pressure (soft, hard), oscillation of pressure, temperature (cool, warm, hot), moisture (wet, dry), movement (quick, slow), intensity (low, medium, high), frequency (often, some, few), rhythm (rocking, up-and-down), pain (biting, dull, constant), extent (local, general), and duration (short to long). These kinesthetics may manifest in various locations in the body and possess texture and shape.
When asking, “What do you feel?” with precision, we inquire about the kinesthetic sensations associated with the emotion. Attention can be drawn to the beating of the heart, lung activity, and muscle tension in different body parts, prompting individuals to notice sensations throughout their bodies.
In the General Arousal Syndrome, often termed the “stress response” or “fight, flight, freeze” response, the kinesthetics of these emotions are generally similar. Heightened activation of the heart and lungs, altered breathing, dilated eyes, sweating skin, and redirected blood flow to large muscle groups prepare the body for action. However, the specific feelings in this general arousal state vary based on cognitive interpretations.
Surprisingly, the feelings associated with fear, anger, excitement, and lust share a common kinesthetic foundation. The distinguishing factor lies in one’s cognitions. While bodily activation remains consistent, cognitive semantics—meanings—diverge entirely.
This explains the interconnection and mix-up of emotions, such as the close relationship between fear and anger. Fear often harbors underlying anger, and conversely, anger can mask underlying fear. Understanding this dynamic shed light on situations like individuals becoming aggressive when pushed beyond a threshold or sexual stimulation taking on unconventional forms rooted in specific emotional responses.
Emotions inherently involve feelings at the kinesthetic level, but feelings, in isolation, may be mere sensations not necessarily tied to any specific emotion. Experiments injecting epinephrine or adrenaline into participants have shown that the resulting feelings depended on their expectations. The determining factor was not the sensation itself but the interpretative semantics that primed them to respond in certain ways.
While enforcing a law to restrict the use of “feeling” for “emotion” may not be practical or impactful, it is essential to grasp the distinction between these two phenomena. Recognizing that emotions have a bodily or somatic foundation—rooted in kinesthetic feelings—enhances our understanding of our own emotional experiences.
Curated by Danielle Tan.
Reference:
- [Neurons] 2024 Neurons #6 FEELINGS ARE NOT EMOTIONS by L. Michael Hall, Ph.D. Executive Director, ISNS.
