Emotions are very important in one's life and without emotions there is no normal life. But the most important thing is how we manage the emotions in our lives.

As an older person, who was emotionally complex when younger, as we all probably are, I now value the smoothness and control of my emotions. The self talk I employ tends to keep my emotions more positive, similar to meditation or CBT. I really value this stage in my emotional life. Small pleasures being more important now than the bigger more intense ones of an earlier time.

Another point is people without emotions, either totally or when necessary. They might be easily considered as social outlaws, because their reactions dont correspon with generally accepted patterns.

But such people are extremely useful in cases of any emergency or crisis, because emotions usually either block or delay the most appropriate reaction for given situation.

Lets take simple example, fireman standing in front of burning house with some person inside. He is expected to run inside, risk and to save such person. To accoplish that he must behave totally without emotions (fear for his life, fear of injury, fear of future of his family etc.).

Which means people "without emotions"? One aspect that characterizes the human condition are the emotions ... Fireman do not have emotions? Maybe what you're stressing is something fundamental to human existence - emotional regulation.

Studies of psychiatry seem universal in defending that psychopaths do not experience emotions towards others.

Emotion is essential for well-being because it provides information about what is relevant for us. They express needs and needs provide a direction towards action. They give meaning to our life story, to our narratives, thus they are fundamental in the construction of self. Neuroimaging studies show that emotion is generated in the subcortical areas of the brain and its "conscious" management is usually associated to pre-frontal cortex activity, which means that in order do use them purposefully in awareness some executive functioning has to be involved. This as been more properly described and studied as emotional intelligence, defined as "(...) the ability to perceive accurately, appraise, and express emotion; the ability to acess and/or generate feelings when they facilitate thought; the ability to understand emotion and emotional knowledge; and the ability to regulate emotions to promote emotional and intellectual growth" (Mayer & Salovey, 1997).

Underegulated people tend to be more impulsive and their actions tend to be less adaptative which may hinder proper social functioning. An overegulated person would probably show some signs and/or symptons of depression as he/she may not be properly accessing or blocking significant aspects of their emotions. A fireman has to regulate his fear in order to fight a fire following proper protocol, if the fear becomes underegulated he/she will act more impulsively (e.g.: risk his/her life by going in deep into the fire or put others at risk by fleeing the scene), if it becomes overegulated he/she may not be able to act purposively upon the demands of the task at hand (e.g., by failing to provide proper help in a harmful situation).

Psychopaths (in general), do have emotions and are able to regulate them (as they are essential for survival and development), this also includes experiencing emotions towards others (e.g., anger, fear). They may be even able to feel empathy towards another human being. The difference is that this empathy is usually cognitive, rather than emotional, that is why they are so dangerously good at manipulation. The point is, the way emotion is processed by a psychopath is different, but emotion is still there, because without it there's no motivation, no action, no purpose.

Some relevant references (abbreviated):

Angus, L. (2012): Toward an integrative understanding of narrative and emotion processes in Emotion Focused Therapy of depression: Implications for theory, research and practice. [article]

Greenberg, L. (2004). Emotion-focused Therapy. [article]

Greenberg, L. (2007). Emotion coming of age. [article]

Greenberg. L. & Pascual-Leone, A. (2006) Emotion in psychotherapy: A practice-friendly research review. [article]

Mayer, J. D. & Salovey, P. (1997). What is emotional intelligence? [chapter]

Panksepp, J., & Biven, L. (2010). The archaeology of mind: Neuroevolutionary origins of human emotion. [book]

Smith, A. (2006). Cognitive empathy and emotional empathy in human behavior and evolution. [article]

Thank you João, for your clarification.

Although not shown, psychopaths are callous, cold and lack of genuine feelings for others people. They do not seem to feel warm emotions between humans, such as love, compassion and selflessness. Are intimately cold people, who do not feel love, affection and tenderness, sometimes even with the closest people such as family.

The lack of empathy does not mean they do not feel, feel pleasure when they do suffer another. These emotions are self-centered, just him.

http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2000-07602-005

http://scan.oxfordjournals.org/content/5/1/59.full

Even a tigress loves its babies. Love is an animal instinct; it is not reserved for mankind. In India, we know that elephants actually weep when a baby elephant dies. If I am not wrong, when a baby zebra dies, its mother refuses to leave that place for days together. What I mean is that emotion is an animal instinct, and man is an animal after all.

In fact, man is the only animal that can laugh; no other animal can laugh!

Emotions are very important. A human has emotion dimension, besides physical, intellectual and spiritual dimensions. When all the dimensions are in balance, we are very happy and very blessed. Hemanta speaks about the love that tigers, elephants and zebras have for their young. Love is a powerful emotion enabling parents to make many sacrifices for their children.

Concerning emotional development, I think, we outgrow our selfishness and childishness, as our intellectual and spiritual dimensions begin to mature. When guided by these other dimensions, I think that emotions are really a blessing.

Sent from mobile.

My friend Miranda is very emotional person, and she is devoted to her job with full passion, as well as to RG interactions! Can You imagine that she made a nice response via mobile!

Good luck Miranda!

Beside, I am very emotional person who can not hide emotions at all! There are some people knowing how to occasionally abuse! Regardless, the importance of emotions in people's lives is enormous! No emotions - No real life!

Dear friends, I am not from very developed country. After office hours, I only have a mobile. So I have to be extremely careful when I type. This is where I must exercise SELF CONTROL over emotions. This is when the Intellectual and Spiritual dimensions must help to keep the emotions in the right place :)

Miranda's feelings are shared by me, because the RG is an extraordinary space for researchers from around the world share their knowledge, experience, and the good and less good moments. It is indeed a space for sharing emotions, and helps manage emotions, not just the exchange of knowledge and scientific debate.

Well there are those who have had this wonderful idea, and put it into practice!

It is emotion only which binds or holds any relationship between two person or between two creature on the earth.

Regards,

Nitish

Dear Paula, dear all. I agree with you all, but I tried to describe extremely specific group of people and certainly not psychos.

In my understanding emotional regulation is something like self-control, where person must use her will or some other methods (counting up to ten, deep breathing, etc.). But to gain control over one's emotions takes some time and it is not allways available.

What I meant was complete and instant emotional switch-off or emotional supression. Meditation techniques are based on that, but they usually require quiet room and some time.

I chose fireman as example, because everybody knows how painful it could be and that reflexes order us to get out of the harm way.

But fireman must run into danger voluntarily and knowing well what might happen inside burning house. If he doesnt manage to switch off his emotions, it would delay his reflexes or he might freeze in shock.

The result of both in burning house is better not to imagine.

There are many publications that explore the relationship between emotional states and memory. I suspect that there is a bidirectional causality. One memory may excite similar memories in association, and we recognize vague/abstract networks of memories as emotions; joy, anger, etc. Biological facilitator (structures, chemicals, hormones, etc) would make this work more efficiently.

Being in control would be to recognize what gives rise to emotions, and how emotions affect our experience. Recognition would help one to invest his/her energy and time in his own best interest. In this way strengthening some systems, and weakening others.

Rumination is lack of such awareness which puts one at risk for addiction to the chemicals that accompany such emotions.

Hi Reza, I agree with you. The correlation between memory and emotions is actually studied, and long recognized the affective memory that has a decisive impact on people's lives.

However if we think of the elderly with dementia know that cognitive deficits and memory loss leads to emotional lability, affective memory is changed.

And the emotional control seems fragile, it appears a loss of filter that translates into some unexpected and strange behavior.

Personally, I can share with you that my 'self', and its stages of development had distinct stages. Initially it was wonderful, I was amazed at this wonderful world and the endless possibilities captured my spirit, mind, and heart. I was happy like a sponge soaking up everything.

In my teenage years, I was starting to stand on my own two feet, preparing to become an adult (self sufficient). I was testing myself for the assurance that I was strong enough, smart enough, skilled enough. This was exhausting. Anger ensued failure to ensure that the wrong would not repeat. Pride would award success. Arrogance was the theme.

Early adulthood was filled with reflections and attempts to control emotions in pursuit of a peaceful state of mind. So that I would enjoy the world as I did in my childhood. Recognizing that my past was a series of events (most of which was out of my control), gave rise to doubt and depression. But awareness that I could consciously mold my future would give rise to elation.

Thinking about death and thinking of the unknown, the unexpected often gives rise to anxiety. Fear dominates and taxes my body. To recognize my limitations, and learning to use my abilities to their limits gives me a feeling of satisfaction that I am living now, and I'm grateful for this wonderful experience. And I will live as I desire to my hearts content, knowing that there are things that are out of my control, and I can attempt to make peace with that. Trying to feel at home always in this body that continually deteriorates. Guilt is there when I neglect myself, and empowerment when I am aware and living healthy and with joy.

I feel, on some level, I share this experience with many people in the same sequence. I suspect that my body experiences the same at an energetic, molecular level, my mind at a cognitive level, my heart at an emotional level, and my soul at an spiritual level.

I don't see how I could live this life without going through this.

I don't know where 'Reza' is in this soup, but I feel that he is also experiencing this on an existential level. But the story is the same; development of a self and self awareness and confrontation with existence, facilitated/guided by emotions that point to specific things that are happening at biological, psychological and spiritual dimensions. To know the bases and structures of life may help us get through this course of life with less pain.

To me, emotions are indications. They are reflections of what is happening to the self. Only change in self and/or its environment can allow for different emotions to shine. To struggle with and force the undesired emotions to change to desired emotions seems existentially pointless; but if the point of life is, to be happy and, be willing to fight with the nature of oneself, then it is totally acceptable.

It takes a long time to differentiate emotions from sentimentality and if that really happens we call that stage 'attaining intellectual maturity'. It needs lots of sharing, introspections to attain the capability to handle emotions and if that stage is attained we call that person consummate.

@Reza, I was delighted with the depth and clarity of your contribution in the first person. It becomes very clear your introspective ability to achieve in your person this level of analysis and to make this differentiation of your emotions that only maturity allows. Considering Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences in fact emotional intelligence is contemplated and this is exactly what you describe, the ability to differentiate our emotions, to recognize them and manage. No doubt that these skills are developed throughout the development of the person, over the life cycle. Emotional maturity is ways of regulating emotions and their expression, so in adulthood seems to be a greater differentiation capacity and stability of emotional states; childhood, youth and old age instability and emotional lability is more frequent.

@Siddhartha, reinforces that emotional maturity is a process that is acquired over time, a time of growth over the life cycle I add. From a social perspective, many emotional reactions depend on learning, education, and socio-cultural environment, and especially the age of the person, because the emotional life has a characteristic development from birth to adulthood, thanks to a specification of emotional reactions and a domain increasingly stable of its manifestations.

At the risk of being slightly contentious, I would argue that the "modal" view of emotions and emotion regulation as "improving" across adulthood is overstated and exceed the empirical base. Yes, people report greater happiness/less negativity with age. Yes, they report better regulation. Yes, some theory suggests people should get better. But emotional management is a skill and is built on resources (e.g., physiological flexibility, working memory, etc) that in many cases decline with age. The question then, is how can a skill improve when its constituents are declining?

With memory degradation, I suspect those systems that have been reinforced regularly (over the life span of the person) will have more integrity. And will last longer.

If one learns how aggression arises and behaves differently so that aggression doesn't arise in oneself, or if one abandons or avoided environments rich in aggression, supporting memory systems would not be reinforced and would die out sooner, relieving one to live out their later years more peacefully.

I've focused on constructive learning and self monitoring toward self improvement. The alternative would be to 1) Not focus and be at mercy of random learning 2) Learn unhealthy behaviour. These would allow for other undesired (repressed) behaviour to be strengthened and to last even in the later years.

I agree with Reza, investment in active and healthy aging is crucial for the emotional well-being of older people. Physical activity, relaxation, meditation or intellectuals such as reading, writing, senior universities and many other have the potential to slow cognitive loss and memories as dementia states that have influence on our ability to manage emotions, and not to remain at "the mercy of emotions" (@Anam).

But it is not only the natural and progressive cognitive change, perception, memory, awareness that occurs with walking age, also lifestyles, previous experiences that lead us to a state of happiness or sadness...

"Quem di diligunt adulescens moritur dum valet sentit sapit!" (He whom the gods love dies young while he is healthy, perceptive and wise) - Plautus

"Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur" (Whatever has been said in Latin seems deep)

Their is nothing like emotions in the research,rather commitment and its Establishment is perfection

"We are not merely logical machines or loose bundles of emotions, are a combination of both" - Antonio Damasio.

But allow me to introduce the importance of emotions in child development. Bowlby (from 1960) showed the influence of early and affective relationships, love, warmth, presence, security of parents or caregivers have a decisive influence on the harmonious development of the child, and effects on mental health of the individual throughout life.

I don't remember the reference but I believe that the early attribute that correlated best with later success in life was empathy, not reading, talking or maths but emotional intelligence

I believe the reference is to Edward John Mostyn Bowlby (1907-1990).

I agree with Damasio's statement as long as by 'we' he is referring to the fortunate group that had a healthy environments and caregivers; a necessary jump start on the road to self realization.

The unfortunates may only have logic and loose bundles of emotions to work with, and learn through trial and error.How horrific is a life full of random emotions and logical control systems. It may have its moments. The most the person will gain is familiarity with who he is not.

Just as biology is replicated and adapted through genetic transmission (copulation, an act of love), so is the owner's manual transmitted through caregivers behaviour (both conscious and unconscious).

Dear Paula

Anyone who could not live without the emotions that make it the meaning of life at all stages of life, it can not be anyone to live without emotions because he simply turns into a biological machine.

Yes, I agree! Without emotions we would be automatons. Emotions convey our human characteristics, and so far it has not been possible to generate appropriate emotions in robots.

I think we agree that emotions are important. Can we explore how they are important in the life cycle/stages?

1) Do they change over the years (how)?

2) Are they more relevant to some stages but not to others?

3) Is there a study that shows development dependencies on specific emotions?

4) Are all emotions at some point constructive?

5) Please add to this list of questions.

Dear Luís, thanks for your publication!

To the questions asked by Reza, which are in fact very pertinents, I would like to emphasize the emotional development; how can we enhance emotional development throughout the life cycle?

As for question 1, the emotions do not change throughout the life cycle; what can change is the sensitivity and awareness of these emotions, the ability to manage emotions and deal with life events. But there are factors that facilitate learning emotional management and emotional response.

Older adults are suggested to be more effective at emotional regulation than younger adults. However, cognitive decline has been found to be related with decreased emotional creativity:

Article Cognitive Decline Influences Emotional Creativity in the Elderly

Older adults who reported more cognitive complaints in memory were more engaged in thinking about their own emotional reactions and emotional experiences. This may be due to worsened access to emotional knowledge. The higher cognitive effort needed to process emotions may indicate that retrieval of emotional memories may have been more difficult for older adults with stronger memory deficits.