Introduction
Emotions play a huge role in our everyday lives. They shape how we see the world, how we react to people, and even how we understand ourselves. But what’s interesting is that not everyone experiences emotions in the same way. From neutrality to joy, sadness to surprise, emotions are a mix of personal experiences, physical reactions, and sometimes just the realities we face in life. As a new media artist, I’ve been curious about how people experience emotions differently, and that curiosity led me to conduct a survey exploring how people feel about six core emotions: neutrality, anger, joy, fear, sadness, and surprise.
Through this project, I wanted to research emotional perspectives, especially how people from various backgrounds and ages think about emotions. I collected over 50+ handwritten surveys. The insights that came out offer a fascinating view of the emotional spectrum, and I’d love to share those findings with you.
Neutral Emotion: Calm or Indifferent?
Common Themes in Neutral Emotion
When I looked at how people described their neutral emotional state, it quickly became clear that “neutral” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. For many respondents, neutrality was described as indifference. Words like “flat,” “emotionless,” and “no feelings” kept coming up, especially with the older participants. Some respondents expressed neutrality as just going through the motions of daily life without any emotional highs or lows. A couple of people said they feel completely indifferent when commuting, just waiting to arrive with no emotion attached to the experience at all.
On the other hand, there was another group that described neutrality as a balanced state. For them, neutrality wasn’t about feeling nothing; it was more about a state of calmness. There were no highs, but there were no lows either. One respondent even described neutrality as being “peaceful,” though sometimes this peace could get boring.
Age Correlations in Neutral Emotion
What was really fascinating was how people’s age influenced their view of neutrality. Teenagers, for instance, talked about neutrality more in terms of routine tasks, like commuting or waiting. For them, neutrality was associated with a lack of excitement, often describing it as boring. It’s as if, during these times, they feel emotionally flat because nothing particularly exciting is happening.
Older adults, on the other hand, seemed to lean more toward indifference. One respondent in their 60s referred to their neutral state as passive, while another just described it as “no response.” It seems that, as people age, neutrality starts to feel more like emotional detachment rather than peace.
Anger: Difficult to Control or Express
Common Themes in Anger Emotion
When it comes to anger, many respondents talked about how hard it is to control or express. One recurring theme was the difficulty in expressing anger. Several people mentioned feeling a need to “break out” when they were angry but struggled to actually let those feelings out. This seemed particularly true among teenagers and younger participants. When they did get angry, it was often in response to seeing others mistreated or feeling a sense of injustice. One teenager even described anger as a frustration when watching people treat each other badly.
Physical symptoms were another common thread. Some respondents described how anger triggered physical responses like high blood pressure, headaches, or sweating. For them, anger wasn’t just an emotion, it was something they felt in their bodies as well. These physical reactions were more common among middle-aged and older adults.
Interestingly, a few respondents reported minimal reactions to anger. These participants seemed less affected by the emotion, often describing their anger as something they just “let pass.” This group tended to be older and had a more detached view of anger.
Age Correlations in Anger Emotion
Teenagers often described feeling anger at injustice—seeing others mistreated, for example. However, they also talked about how difficult it was to express their anger. One young respondent said he struggled to rationalize his anger, but couldn’t quite find a way to express it without feeling overwhelmed. This is understandable; at a young age, it’s often hard to articulate what makes us angry, even when we know we’re upset.
In contrast, older respondents expressed a desire to control or suppress their anger. Many of them didn’t let anger get the better of them, but they did acknowledge the physical toll it could take. They talked about feelings like suppressed annoyance or frustration they couldn’t quite shake off. I found it interesting that older adults didn’t react as emotionally as younger participants. They seemed more measured, but also acknowledged that suppressing anger could come at a cost.
Joy: Loved Ones and New Experiences Fuel Happiness
Common Themes in Joy Emotion
Joy was one of the most universally positive emotions described in the survey. When asked about what brought them joy, almost every respondent talked about relationships. Spending time with family or loved ones was a major source of happiness. For example, one respondent simply said, “Joy is my daughter.” Another said that joy came from being with people they loved and doing activities they enjoyed together.
New experiences were another major source of joy. Several respondents mentioned how much they loved exploring new places or learning new things. This makes sense, of course—discovery often brings happiness, whether it’s a new place, a new hobby, or even just hearing someone’s story for the first time.
Interestingly, some participants said that joy was rare or fleeting for them. They described joy as something momentary, an emotion that comes in short bursts but doesn’t stick around for long.
Age Correlations in Joy Emotion
Teenagers derived a lot of their joy from spending time with friends and family. They also talked about how much they enjoyed exploring new places or hearing new stories. For them, joy seemed to be tied to discovery and adventure—finding something new in the world that made them happy, even if just for a short while.
Older respondents, on the other hand, talked about joy in more intimate terms. Many said that being loved by others was their greatest source of happiness. They described joy as uplifting and mentioned that it often came from deeper connections with loved ones. While younger people seemed to find joy in new experiences, older adults found joy in familiar relationships.
Fear: Facing the Unknown and Physical Reactions
Common Themes in Fear Emotion
When it came to fear, the responses were mixed, but many people described physical reactions that came along with fear. Common responses included heart palpitations, sweating, and feeling insecure. This shows that fear isn’t just a mental state, it’s something we feel throughout our entire body.
The fear of the unknown was another recurring theme. Many respondents said they felt fear when they were in unfamiliar situations or when they had to face something they didn’t fully understand. For example, one person mentioned that public speaking made them feel fearful, while others said that stepping outside their comfort zones caused anxiety.
Interestingly, a few people described fear as something they prepared to fight. Rather than letting it take over, they managed fear by preparing themselves mentally and physically. This proactive response to fear was most common among older adults.
Age Correlations in Fear Emotion
Teenagers were more likely to mention specific phobias, like a fear of dogs or public speaking. They seemed to tie their fear to very real, very specific situations. For instance, one respondent mentioned the fear of being alone, while another described a fear of driving. These types of fears seem more situational, and they often come from personal experiences.
Older respondents described more generalized fears, often related to unknown conditions. They also mentioned feeling heart palpitations or sweating when faced with fear. However, some older adults mentioned that they felt very little fear at all. This could be because, as we age, we tend to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with fear. One person in their 60s even said they had “no fear response” to most situations.
Sadness: Loss, Numbness, and Emotional Weight
Common Themes in Sadness Emotion
Sadness was often described in terms of loss and separation. Many respondents mentioned feeling sad when they thought about losing someone important or facing the thought of death. This makes sense—loss is one of the most profound causes of sadness, whether it’s the loss of a loved one or even the loss of an opportunity.
Some respondents described sadness as emotional numbness. For them, sadness wasn’t just a fleeting feeling, but something that sapped their energy and left them feeling drained. They talked about how sadness could last for a long time, making it hard to find joy or even express their feelings.
There were also some respondents who saw sadness as temporary, something that passes with time. One person said they just “live with it until it passes.” Others described sadness as something they experienced briefly before moving on. This suggests that for some people, sadness isn’t a permanent state, but rather an emotion they can process and eventually let go of.
Age Correlations in Sadness Emotion
Teenagers were more likely to talk about understanding harsh realities as a source of sadness. They talked about how the world can be a tough place to live in and how understanding that can bring a lot of sadness. For example, one respondent mentioned that understanding how the world really works made them feel sad, while another described the sadness of losing someone important.
Older adults, on the other hand, seemed to feel sadness in more profound ways. Many of them talked about feeling despair or emotional numbness. For these respondents, sadness was something they couldn’t always articulate, but it was clear that they carried it with them. One person described sadness as a feeling of numbness—an emotion so deep that it becomes difficult to express.
Surprise: Positive, Embarrassing, or Thought-Provoking?
Common Themes in Surprise Emotion
Surprise was an emotion that took on different meanings depending on the person. For some, surprise was a positive experience. One respondent described the joy of an unexpected gift, while another mentioned feeling surprised when something good happened, like a bus arriving on time. These types of positive surprises often brought a sense of happiness and delight.
However, surprise wasn’t always positive. For some, surprise was tied to embarrassment. Being caught off guard or put in an unexpected situation wasn’t always enjoyable. One respondent described surprise as something that made them feel uneasy or awkward.
A few people also mentioned that surprises made them think more deeply. These were described as thought-provoking surprises, moments that led to a new perspective or deeper understanding. It’s interesting how the same emotion can take on such different meanings depending on the person’s experience.
Age Correlations in Surprise Emotion
Teenagers were more likely to describe positive surprises, like getting an unexpected gift or experiencing a happy event. For them, surprises seemed to be moments of delight, adding a bit of excitement to their daily lives.
Older adults, however, talked about surprise in more nuanced ways. While some did mention positive surprises, many described surprise as something that led to deeper thought. One respondent even said that surprise often came from understanding human behavior. These surprises weren’t necessarily about gifts or happy moments—they were moments that challenged them to think in new ways.
How Age and Gender Shape Emotional Experiences?
The emotional sentiment analysis, based on VADER scores, reveals patterns in how different age groups and genders experience emotions. The results indicate that older respondents, particularly those aged 44 and above, tend to report more negative emotional sentiment, as seen in their compound scores. This suggests that with age, individuals may reflect more on negative emotions like sadness or anger. Conversely, younger respondents, such as the 17 year old, display more neutral to slightly positive sentiment, which may indicate a more optimistic outlook or an emphasis on positive emotional experiences like joy and surprise.
Anonymous respondents show the greatest variability in sentiment, highlighting a broad range of emotional experiences within that group. The analysis underscores the influence of demographic factors—such as age and gender—on how individuals perceive and express their emotions, with older adults exhibiting more negativity and younger participants reflecting more balanced or positive emotional states. These insights can guide future research into how life experiences and age impact emotional health and expression.
How This Data will Create Generative Art?
Using the data from my emotional perspective surveys, I will transform each emotion—neutrality, anger, joy, fear, sadness, and surprise—into generative art that visually represents human experiences. Here’s a JSON snippet from the data that directly influences my art:
{
neutral: "Peace of mind but sometimes this emotional condition can be boring",
anger: "When I feel anger, I try to rationalize it, but I have difficulty expressing it",
joy: "I’m calm and happy doing things I love with people I love",
fear: "Phobias like fear of dogs, driving, and being alone",
sadness: "When you lose someone who meant a lot to you",
surprise: "Surprises can be happy or sad, unexpected gifts",
subject": p1,
demographic: "17 y.o, Male, Thessaloniki",
positive: 0.285,
negative: 0.192,
neutral: 0.522,
compound: 0.1091,
},This data will be algorithmically transformed into visual components such as color palettes, movement, and shapes, depending on the respondent’s emotional description. For instance, joy, described as calm and connected to loved ones, might be expressed through soft, flowing lines, while sadness related to loss could use darker colors and fragmented forms.
Motivation for Understanding Human Behavior Through Art
As an artist, my primary motivation is to understand and explore human behavior through emotions. I believe that our emotions provide a window into how we experience life and interact with others. By collecting and analyzing data from different age groups and backgrounds, I’ll create artworks that reflect these personal emotional landscapes. This process allows me to take abstract concepts like fear or joy and turn them into visual experiences that people can engage with on a deeper level. My goal is to create art that helps viewers not only connect with their own emotions but also understand the emotional journeys of others, as seen through real data like this:
{
neutral:"When commuting by bus: no emotions at all, just waiting to arrive",
anger:"Anger is when you see people mistreating others on purpose",
joy:"Getting to know the stories of others, and exploring new places",
fear: "Getting out of your comfort zone, public speaking",
sadness: "Understanding how the world really works",
surprise: "When buses arrive on time!",
subject: p6,
demographic: "14 y.o, Male, Thessaloniki",
positive: 0,
negative: 0.167,
neutral: 0.833,
compound: -0.296,
},This real-world data shapes my creative process, transforming raw emotional expressions into generative art that communicates the complexity of the human experience.
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Conclusion
Conducting this survey on emotional perspectives has provided valuable insights into the diverse ways people experience and interpret emotions. The analysis reveals that emotions like neutrality, anger, joy, fear, sadness, and surprise are deeply personal, influenced by factors such as age, life experiences, and even physical reactions. Younger respondents often tied their emotional experiences to external events, like relationships or routine activities, displaying a more neutral or positive emotional sentiment. In contrast, older respondents reflected more on their internal emotional states, frequently reporting negative sentiments and physical responses, particularly in relation to emotions like anger and fear.
This survey highlights that emotional experiences are far from uniform. They are shaped by individual backgrounds, life stages, and personal reflections. As we continue to explore these emotional landscapes, it becomes clear that understanding emotions is key to better comprehending human behavior and our shared experiences. I believe this analysis is just the beginning, opening doors for deeper exploration and conversation about the complexity of human emotions. There is still much to uncover about how we experience and manage emotions, and I am eager to see where this research leads us next.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the purpose of the emotional perspective survey?
The emotional perspective survey aims to explore how people experience and understand six core emotions: neutrality, anger, joy, fear, sadness, and surprise. By collecting qualitative data from participants, the survey helps to identify patterns, correlations, and unique personal expressions tied to each emotion.
2. Who participated in the survey?
The survey included responses from 50+ participants, ranging from teenagers to older adults. Some respondents provided demographic details such as age, gender, and location. The diversity in age and background provides a broader understanding of how different people experience emotions.
3. What are the common themes in the emotions analyzed?
Neutrality: Described as either calmness or indifference, with respondents often using terms like “flat” or “emotionless.” Anger: Many respondents found it difficult to express or control their anger, and some experienced physical reactions like headaches or heart palpitations. Joy: Joy was often associated with relationships, loved ones, and new experiences. Some also described it as fleeting. Fear: Fear was linked to the unknown, unfamiliar situations, or specific phobias, with physical reactions such as sweating or increased heart rate. Sadness: Commonly connected to loss and separation, some participants described sadness as emotional numbness or depletion of energy. Surprise: Respondents experienced both positive and thought-provoking surprises, with some associating it with feelings of embarrassment or shock.
4. How did age affect the respondents’ emotional experiences?
Teenagers: Often described emotions in relation to immediate experiences, like public speaking for fear or spending time with loved ones for joy. They expressed difficulties in articulating or managing anger. Older Adults: Reflected more on internal states, describing feelings such as indifference in neutrality, suppressed annoyance in anger, and profound sadness or joy connected to relationships or life achievements. Physical symptoms of emotions like fear and anger were more commonly reported among middle-aged and older respondents.
5. What patterns were identified in the way emotions are expressed?
Some clear patterns emerged in the survey: Coping mechanisms were mentioned across age groups, with some people rationalizing their emotions or preparing themselves to confront them. Teenagers often link their emotions to external events and relationships, while older adults focus more on long-term feelings and inner states. Physical symptoms like headaches or heart palpitations were frequently associated with anger and fear, particularly in older respondents.
