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7: Emotion

  • Page ID
    18147
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    • 7.1: Emotion
      An emotion is a subjective state of being that we often describe as our feelings. Typically, the word emotion indicates a subjective, affective state that is relatively intense and that occurs in response to something we experience. Emotions are often thought to be consciously experienced and intentional. Mood, on the other hand, refers to a prolonged, less intense, affective state that does not occur in response to something we experience.

    Thumbnail: A male rat that cannot engage in sexual behavior still seeks receptive females, suggesting that the ability to engage in sexual behavior and the motivation to do so are mediated by different systems in the brain. (credit: Jason Snyder). Image used with permission (CC BY-SA 4.0; OpenStax).


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