The Unknown Truth Behind Human Emotions

“In psychology and logic, rationalization is a defense mechanism in which controversial behaviors or feelings are justified and explained in a seemingly rational or logical manner to avoid the true explanation, and are made consciously tolerable — or even admirable and superior — by plausible means.” — Definition of rationalization Retrieved 25th September 2011 (Wikipedia)

As per the quotation used above, it states that the quality and presence of “Human Emotions” can be rationalized as means of defense mechanism. However, is it truly a defense mechanism to justify actions? Or perhaps there is a twist to it? What if we asked ourselves if our emotions are actually flaws?

Therefore, allow me the privilege to present to you the justification of the invalid demands proposed by emotions.

Humans are known to be social beings, It is an established fact that every human being require their emotional needs as much as physical needs and this is an upfront that stands as a basic need. The need for social support or in terms of human quotations “A friendly ear” or “A touch of affection” (1) and this is basically an exchange if explained in simple terms. An exchange of needs, how are emotions related to basic needs? It is quite simple if we think about it.

“The Social Exchange theory in relationships” by kendra cherry, Verywellmind, 2020

- “Social exchange theory proposes that social behavior is the result of an exchange process. The purpose of this exchange is to maximize benefits and minimize costs. According to this theory, developed by sociologist George Homans, people weigh the potential benefits and risks of social relationships. When the risks outweigh the rewards, people will terminate or abandon that relationship.”

“Friendship” or “A Deep bond” are basically exchanges of favor through a manner that is considered as an act of kindness or this can also be re-phrased as “Responsibility” to justify the give-free trade of favors. As per the term “Adam’s equity”- Robert Cladini, it is meant to signify the trade of two individuals under an impression that it is a free trade with no exchange yet the other person always expects a return of favor. As the most intelligent species on earth, it sure is a Trump card as when a certain individual fulfills a need or task for the other person before he/she demands it. It serves as an obvious front of returning the favor by any means believed by human psychology. Therefore, the kindest of people with the disguise of a soft heart is often popular with other humans as everyone is allowed to fulfill their emotional needs or simply ask for a favor when needed without the guilt or the front known as “Trade”. Having a friend serves as both emotional and physical needs since they are willing to trade anytime and are always easily available, It also helps to attract more friends in the circle creating a wide exchange. However, it must also be taken into consideration that emotions are not also just a simple exchange. After all, humans are social beings and to satisfy their personal interest, “Friendship” is the softest front to find someone who shares a similar mindset or a similar quality they both share to deepen the reliability on their trade partners.

All species of birds or creatures always require a way to produce an offspring to continue their generations or more accurately put, simply to share their lust to mate with a suitable partner. Thus, this lust of re-producing or sharing the pleasure has been changed in terms of meaning to avoid the guilt of calling it as a body interest resulting it to be a bond known as “Love”.

“Love” is the ultimate front to put up when an individual shares an interest on the abilities or the sexual lust of others, Some may even choose a partner for love if he/she is a suitable companion who can provide more emotional support than the average can do. It is simply an agreement of partnership to trade their needs in a more deeply involved way for a longer period and more prioritized. This strategy of trading their needs avoids the insignificant guilts or regrets and also adds an advantage to demand for attention or sympathy if in any case with a valid reason one can leave. The reasons to leave this partnership can be a loss of interest in a single constant individual or if the other partner doesn’t repay the debts on the terms they agreed on. If in any case the proposed partner refuses, the other individual has a valid reason to be seen as deprived and depressed to attract sympathy and other partners for replacement.

The term “Depression” is quoted as a stage where an individual lacks emotional needs and loses interest with an intense feeling of sadness. — WHO (World Health Organization)

“Depressed” or “Misery” are also one of the tricks or factors used by Mankind to gain companions and get known among other humans. An individual who claims to be depressed attracts the sympathy of others. Sympathy is another form of a proposal to a kind trade. In this method to gain more companions in order to exchange more needs and wants, it is beneficial for both sides. Due to the fact that one individual helping another individual in the name of sympathy is often known to be nice or gentle among other humans. However, an individual being kind to one is also kind to others, and therefore gaining popularity in a good will is the best way to wield authority over others by returning their favors in a good will. Such salvation is basically a currency that passes on to one another to benefit oneself by disguising oneself as a kind and thoughtful individual to gain popularity and trust, kindness can also be used to solve self-guilt by helping the other person therefore it is Lie fabricated on the sole purpose of self-satisfaction and benefit. It also provides a sign that symbolizes that the individual is an available trader. As for the one receiving sympathy attracts more traders and thus this cycle continues.

However, to disguise the true nature of human intentions or to simply avoid the guilty of masses every society applies certain rules and create a different opinioned mindset that re-assures the individuals of its pure intention and care. A simple voice justifying the actions of every individual that supports the society.

It is also note-worthy that some individuals accept and truly feel these ideals known as “Love” towards another available partner. This feeling is basically as explained by Katherine Wu of Harvard University (2017), a chemical called “Dopamine” is released to the brain to feel its emotional pleasures. In other words, the other individual becomes a necessity for one’s emotional needs. That affection and love is the only pure form of Love that exists. As it is a pure form of Emotion. The willingness to fulfill any needs or wants for the other person without any payment or expectation is a complete affection-based feeling.

Thus, at last we arrive at a valid assumption which suggests that Human emotions are mostly based on the sole purpose of self-satisfaction and interest, even though it has indeed developed as a psychology, it is yet not all based on pure emotions.

However, emotions are a part of nature of human psychology. An overwhelmingly powerful force that can either push an individual to his greatest lengths or perhaps to his own deepest trench. A characteristic of human psychology that is truly an art and I dare say, each of them represents a new horizon on every aspect of life.

References-

(1) The cooperative human. Nat Hum Behav 2, 427–428 (2018).

(2) The Social Exchange theory in relationships by kendra cherry- “Social exchange theory proposes that social behavior is the result of an exchange process. The purpose of this exchange is to maximize benefits and minimize costs. According to this theory, developed by sociologist George Homans, people weigh the potential benefits and risks of social relationships. When the risks outweigh the rewards, people will terminate or abandon that relationship.”

(3) Reciprocity

The first of Cialdini’s 6 Principles of Persuasion is reciprocity.
Adam’s Equity — Adams’ equity theory of motivation says that to be motivated, individuals need to perceive that the rewards they receive for their contributions are fair, and these rewards are similar to those received by their peers. If individuals perceive that their rewards are not fair, they will feel distressed and try to change things to create a sense of fairness.

In a short look, People don’t like the feeling of having to owe something to someone, therefore presenting an unbalanced transaction of favor or choice may take its disguise as courtesy or kindness forces the other individual to act accordingly with the same response otherwise, they will feel dissatisfaction and guilt. This can be used to signify “I’ve scratched your back, now you scratch mine”. Robert Cladini, World of work project, 2019

(4) The term “Depression” is quoted as a stage where an individual lacks emotional needs and loses interest with an intense feeling of sadness. — WHO (World Health Organization)

(5) High levels of dopamine and a related hormone, norepinephrine, are released during attraction. These chemicals make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric, even leading to decreased appetite and insomnia — which means you actually can be so “in love” that you can’t eat and can’t sleep.- Katherine Wu of Harvard University (2017)

(6) “Your body cares about your social needs because millions of years ago it was a great indicator of how likely you were to survive. To avoid that your body came up with social pain.” — Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms, 2010