Basic and non-basic emotions: more research needed.
This is a thought-provoking paper on the state of research into emotions. It highlights how vital it is that further research is performed in this area. Whether you start with Ekman’s six basic emotions or Panksepp’s seven primary emotions, you are left with three key questions. Is there such a thing as a basic or primary emotion as distinct from any other type of emotion? If so, what are the basic or primary emotions? And, if so, what is a non-basic or secondary emotion? It is surprising that, given all the progress in other areas of neuroscience, progress in understanding emotions remains slow. The answer may be that emotions sound too fluffy for serious research. That is a shame. The clue is in the name – emotions – what motivates us (to behave): pretty important stuff.
Link to paper: https://www.academia.edu/35844753/A_New_Better_BET_Rescuing_Basic_Emotion_Theory
You may also like to browse other neuroscience papers: https://www.thesentientrobot.com/category/neuroscience/neuroscience-academic-papers/
