Emotions are the brain's neuro-chemical reactions to:
1) sensory stimuli (i.e., seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling),
2) physical needs (hunger, thirst, sex, warmth); and
3) [sometimes] one's thinking.
They manifest (i.e., "show up") in physical presentation (e.g., excitement, tears, aches, racing heart, blushing, restlessness, sweating) and consequent mental processing (i.e., leading to feelings).
Note that an
emotional reaction is "automatically" generated by the
Elephant part of the brain, and is manifest (i.e., it "shows up" and you experience):
- in physical changes within the body (e.g., hormones released, heart beats faster, breathing rate increases, you sweat or blush or wince, etc), and
- a mental processing that produces (or results in) feelings which are sensed or "felt" by the Rider part of the brain (and are then sometimes "identified" using language).
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Emotional reactions (the Elephant) are fast, subconscious, and "automatic" (i.e., "you have no choice") that can result in feelings (the Rider) that are the slower, conscious, and subjective interpretation of those reactions - and that we use (or try to use) language [labels] to identify and describe.
Put another way, emotions are biological, real-time data manifest in the physical body, whereas feelings are the conscious cognitive processing, memory, and mental labeling of those sensations.
Key Differences
Order of Occurrence: Emotions arise first (as raw, instinctual reactions), while feelings are the subsequent interpretation.
Nature: Emotions are physical/biochemical reactions (heartbeat, perspiration), while feelings are cognitive and mental.
Consciousness: Emotions are often unconscious or sub-conscious, while feelings are experienced consciously.
Duration: Emotions are often intense and short-lived, whereas feelings can linger longer and are shaped by personal, subjective experiences, memories, and thoughts.
Specificity: Emotions are more universal, while feelings are unique and personal to the individual.
Examples:
Emotion: Seeing a snake causes an automatic, subconscious fear response (increased heart rate).
Feeling: The conscious interpretation of that fear as "I am in danger" or "I am terrified".
Emotion: Receiving praise triggers a sudden feeling of happiness.
Feeling: The lingering, thoughtful, and subjective sense of contentment or pride.
