What are basic emotions also called?

Basic emotions are also referred to as primary emotions. This terminology is widely used in psychology to categorize the most essential emotional responses that humans experience. These primary emotions typically include joy, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust. They are considered fundamental because they are universally recognized across different cultures and are believed to have evolved to serve essential functions in human survival and social communication.

The concept of primary emotions emphasizes their innate nature and biological basis, suggesting that they are hardwired into the human experience rather than learned or socially constructed. They occur rapidly in response to stimuli, serving as immediate reactions that help individuals respond to their environment.

Other terms, like fundamental emotions or primitive emotions, may also describe basic feelings but are less commonly used in contemporary psychological literature compared to the term "primary emotions." Complex emotions, on the other hand, refer to emotional experiences that are derived from combinations of primary emotions and are more nuanced, often influenced by social context and personal experiences.