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The Limbic System
The limbic system does not solely control our emotional life. It also has other functions.
22.12.2023
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- Emotions
Image | Theories on the Origin of Emotions
Traditional theories of emotion formation came to different conclusions.
08.09.2011
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- Glossary
Basic emotions
Some theories assume that all emotions can be broken down into a few basic emotions. These are also referred to as primary emotions. According to Ekman, these classically include fear, anger, joy, sadness, disgust, and surprise. Primary emotions arise very quickly in response to an event and sometimes subside just as quickly. Over time, they can transition into secondary emotions (e.g., shame, guilt, or pride).
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- Glossary
Emotions
Neuroscientists understand "emotions" to be complex response patterns that include experiential, physiological, and behavioral components. They arise in response to personally relevant or significant events and generate a willingness to act, through which the individual attempts to deal with the situation. Emotions typically occur with subjective experience (feeling), but differ from pure feeling in that they involve conscious or implicit engagement with the environment. Emotions arise in the limbic system, among other places, which is a phylogenetically ancient part of the brain. Psychologist Paul Ekman has defined six cross-cultural basic emotions that are reflected in characteristic facial expressions: joy, anger, fear, surprise, sadness, and disgust.
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- Glossary
Theory of emotions
Emotions still pose many questions for researchers today: Are there primary and secondary emotions? Are there universal emotions? Are there connections between individual emotions? Different theories of emotion seek answers to questions like these.
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- Emotions
The Fear Circuit
Fear arises thanks to lightning-fast mechanisms – that do not always react correctly.
11.09.2025
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- Percieve
- Smell & Taste
Fragrant Brands
Companies are focusing on the sense of smell in their marketing: fragrances are intended to bind customers to the brand.
03.07.2025
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- News
- Question to the brain
What is transgenerational trauma?
How are traumas passed on to subsequent generations? What happens in the brain during this process?
12.05.2024
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- Act
- Meditation
The Neuroscience of Meditation
Meditation is a simple method for influencing brain activity over the long term.
04.09.2026
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- Act
- Meditation
Why Meditation?
A pioneer in meditation research explains why meditation is good for people and the brain.
30.07.2026
