FEELING: Definition, History, and Characteristics
The term “feeling” is generally used to refer to a complex and multifaceted psychological and physiological phenomenon. It is commonly defined as a person’s subjective experience of emotion, sentiment, or sensation. It can be experienced in response to both external occurrences and internal reflections, with the intensity of the feeling ranging from mild to strong. The concept of feeling has been studied in psychology, philosophy, and other fields, with a variety of definitions, historical roots, and characteristics.
Definition
The concept of feeling has been described in a variety of ways. In psychology, it is generally defined as a conscious mental experience of emotion, sentiment, or sensation. This definition could also include the body’s physical reaction to these mental experiences. It is further characterized as a subjective phenomenon, as feelings are experienced differently by each individual.
History
The concept of feeling has a long and rich history in the field of psychology. In the early 20th century, the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud proposed that feelings were the result of unconscious processes, and that they could be used to interpret a person’s mental state. Later, in the 1950s, the humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers focused on the importance of feelings in the development of an individual’s identity. More recently, evolutionary psychologists have studied the role of feelings in social behavior.
Characteristics
Feeling is a complex phenomenon with various characteristics. It is both a mental and a physical experience. Feelings can be experienced in response to both external occurrences, such as events in the environment, and internal reflections, such as thoughts and memories. Additionally, feelings can range in intensity from mild to strong. They can also be experienced in a variety of ways, including emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally.
Conclusion
Feeling is a complex phenomenon with a long and varied history in the field of psychology. It is generally defined as a person’s subjective experience of emotion, sentiment, or sensation, which can be experienced in both external and internal contexts. Additionally, feelings can range in intensity from mild to strong, and can be experienced in a variety of ways.
References
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Fodor, J. (2000). The modularity of mind: An essay on faculty psychology. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Rogers, C. R. (1951). Client-centered therapy. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Sapolsky, R. M. (2005). The influence of stress hormones on human behavior. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 48(2), 155–171. https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.2005.0020