The Nature of Emotions

By Robert Plutchik

Human emotions have deep evolutionary roots, a fact that may explain their complexity and provide tools for clinical practice

Psychology

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July-August 2001

Volume 89, Number 4
Page 344

DOI: 10.1511/2001.28.344

Almost everyone agrees that the study of emotion is one of the most confused (and still open) chapters in the history of psychology. By one estimate, more than 90 definitions of "emotion" were proposed over the course of the 20th century. If there is little consensus on the meaning of the term, it is no wonder that there is much disagreement among contemporary theoreticians concerning the best way to conceptualize emotion and interpret its role in life.

Carl Sams II/Peter Arnold, Inc.

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