The 12 Laws Of Emotions By Nico Frijda

Nico Frijda’s first law of emotions states that emotions are derive directly from the situations experienced This means that if you have already experienced something, when you face the same circumstances or experiential events again, it is likely that the same emotions that you experienced the first time you experienced it will be generated or emerge.

For example, if you get something that you want very much, you will be very happy. On the contrary, with losses or failures you will suffer sadness. In short, it is a reciprocal and proportional relationship that is, when a situation is at stake, an emotion immediately manifests.

Nico Frijda’s second law states that feelings and emotions come from worry, it’s that simple. Therefore, if we have interest in something or someone, that interest makes the emotion manifest. Likewise, when people are carefree, they are likely not to show any type of emotion, much less express their personal feelings.

Another of Nico Frijda’s laws of emotions that states that When something seems real to us, it provokes an emotional response, since we associate that phenomenon as a reality. In other words, the way we evaluate and perceive situations is the trigger for our emotions. For example, movies, soap operas or artistic manifestations arouse emotional reactions because they are perceived as part of reality.

Coupled with this, the law of apparent reality also states that When we don’t see things directly, we may think they are not true For example, when receiving the news of the death of a loved one, the emotions may not be fully expressed if you do not have contact with the fact that they will no longer be present when you arrive at their house or when you try to call them.

These three laws of emotions by Nico Frijda are corresponding to each other and therefore they must be explained together. Next, we will tell you what they consist of:

• Law of change : refers to the fact that individuals are capable of getting used to anything, regardless of the circumstances. In the same way, change arises because the circumstances we experience vary and, therefore, it is that change that activates the emotion. For example, if you are in a regular job and the routine changes for the better or worse, that will be an emotional trigger.
• Law of habituation : This rule refers to the fact that human beings get used to any situation. In this sense, emotions respond and adapt quickly to changes. In this article you will find more information about the process of adaptation to change according to psychology.
• Law of shared feeling : Frijda establishes that people are always looking for a frame of reference to compare what happens to us with stable events in our lives. In other words, the law of comparative feeling states that the intensity of emotions will depend on the relationship established between the phenomenon and the event that is being evaluated and compared in contrast.

Nico Fridja’s law of hedonic asymmetry states that positive emotions tend to fade over time Likewise, he states that the most distressing or terrible circumstances do not occur so that individuals become accustomed to them, however, they can activate negative sensations such as fear.

Likewise, negative emotions tend to persist over time, unless self-deception comes into play. This suggests that the bad or negative has more force than the good on an emotional level.

Another of Nico Frijda’s laws of emotions that states that emotional events do not heal with time On the contrary, they maintain their power, unless the person is exposed to the situation repetitively, which causes extinction or habituation to the event.

For example, traumatic events must be faced to rewrite the emotions associated with them. Therefore, re-experiencing is what reduces the emotional load.

As we see, Fridja’s emotional laws explain how emotions work. In this case, the law of closure refers to the fact that when people are invaded by emotions, his experimentation is absolute. Therefore, in these situations, their emotional responses are shut down, which clouds their decision making.

This state is reversed at the moment when the emotional response decreases and balance is recovered, that is, the most open and less emotional rationality is recovered.

According to Nico Fridja’s law of care for consequences, people can modulate and control their emotional responses That is, even if they feel the need to express strong emotions, they can control them. Therefore, every time someone feels upset, they do not fight with everyone, however, they will try to modify their emotional state through manifestations such as hitting, screaming or other forms that serve as catharsis. Discover what an emotional catharsis is: types and examples in this article.

Nico Frijda’s latest laws of emotions explain different emotional processes. Let’s see which ones:

• Law of the lightest load : Everyone can give their emotions a twist to reinterpret those negative reactions that affect their emotional balance.
• Law of greatest profit : The impact generated by any event or situation will depend on the individual interpretation of each person. Whenever a situation can be reinterpreted as positive, it will be. In this sense, illusions can be created that will generate positive emotions.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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