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Plutchik's Ten Postulates
Explanations > Evolution > Plutchik's Ten Postulates Animals and Humans | Evolutionary History | Survival Issues | Prototype Patterns | Basic Emotions | Combinations | Hypothetical Constructs | Opposites | Similarity | Intensity | So what
In his book, 'Emotion - A Psychoevolutionary Synthesis', Robert Plutchik describes ten postulates on which his evolutionary perspective on emotions are based. Here are some notes on these. 1. Animals and HumansAnimals, particularly mammals, experience emotions in the same way as humans and experience the same basic emotions. Our mid-brain structures in which emotions are created are very similar. It is only the 'crinkly-walnut' cortex that is more developed in humans for the use of language and advanced cognitive processing. 2. Evolutionary HistoryEmotions appeared through the processes evolution. They appeared in the animal chain long before the apes evolved and humans from these. Emotions evolved because they are useful, or at least were useful along the way and have not become so troublesome since that they prevent us from growing and procreating. 3. Survival IssuesA key force in evolution is natural selection. The basic rules of evolution are that physiological changes are constantly being made in order to find better ways for children to survive until adulthood so they can have (and protect) children of their own. If a species cannot do this consistently, then it will become extinct. Emotions evolved to help us survive and can be traced to this purpose. Man's recent (in evolutionary terms) development of civilized society has led some emotions to be less than helpful. Even now, the evolutionary survival effect can be seen in the ways that people who are emotionally troubled are less likely to find mates. Hence:
4. Prototype Patterns'Prototypes' are basic patterns on which a wider range of things may be founded and developed. This applies to everything from chairs to emotions. Although there are many emotions, there is a relatively small set of common emotional elements that can be used to identify prototype emotions. 5. Basic EmotionsThere is a relatively small set of prototype, primary or basic emotions that can be identified. Plutchnik identifies these as:
6. CombinationsAll emotions other than basic emotions are variants of these, occurring in various combinations and mixtures. We give separate names to these, but they are not really separate and independent. Plutchik describes primary, secondary and tertiary dyads (pairs). For example:
7. Hypothetical ConstructsIt is recognized that emotions are themselves constructs, or ideas that are created to describe experiences. Primary emotions are themselves particularly idealized states which can be described in terms of specific properties and characteristics. These descriptions are based on various kinds of evidence. 8. OppositesEmotions have polar opposites. In Plutchiks' eight primary emotions:
Opposites use the principle of contrast to help create meaning. Hence if you have black then you must have white to show what 'not black' is. Likewise if you have an up then you must have a down, and so on. And if you have happiness ('joy' in Plutchik's terminology), then you must have sadness so you can know when you are not happy. 9. SimilarityEmotions vary in the degree of similarity to one another. Some are quite similar whilst others are quite different. Similar emotions form families or groups, for example contempt, disgust, aversion and loathing. 10. IntensityEach emotion has differing degrees of intensity, ranging from very light to very intense. Hence:
So what?Use Plutchik's insights to seek to understand better the emotions of others. See also
Plutchik, R. (1980). Emotion - A Psychoevolutionary Synthesis, London: Longman
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Site Menu |
| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings | |
Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories | |
Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help | |
More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes | |
Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate | |
| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links | |
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