Emotions significantly shape our daily experiences. They inform how we perceive the world, engage with others, and understand ourselves.
Yet not everyone experiences these emotional states in the same way.
From neutrality to joy, sadness to surprise, our feelings arise from personal encounters, physical reactions, and the realities we face.
As a new media artist, I became fascinated by how people experience emotions differently, leading me to conduct an emotional survey on six core emotions: neutrality, anger, joy, fear, sadness, and surprise.
My goal was to explore emotional perspectives, particularly how people from different backgrounds, ages, and personal histories interpret and react to core emotions.
I gathered more than 50 handwritten surveys, and the insights I discovered offered me window into the tension and instability that can exist within our emotional lives.
Neutral Emotion: Calm or Indifferent?
Common Themes in Neutral Emotion
Respondents provided diverse descriptions of neutrality.
Many equated “neutral” with indifference, repeatedly using words such as “flat,” “emotionless,” and “no feelings.”
A significant portion of older participants viewed neutrality as simply coasting through the day without any noteworthy emotional peaks.
Others, however, saw neutrality as a balanced state.
For this group, neutrality represented calmness, where highs and lows were absent.
Interestingly, one participant described this sense of calm as “peaceful”, noting that it sometimes became boring.
This suggests instability within the idea of neutrality—what appears detached and unfeeling to some may be a state of equilibrium for others.
Age Correlations in Neutral Emotion
Age emerged as a decisive factor in the way neutrality was perceived.
Teenagers frequently described neutral periods as unremarkable, such as waiting for a bus or performing routine tasks.
In contrast, older individuals viewed neutrality as a form of emotional detachment, sometimes referring to it as “no response” or “passive”.
These varied interpretations underscore the complexities in human behavior regarding how one generation finds neutrality dull while another regards it as a form of disengagement.
Anger: Difficult to Control or Express
Common Themes in Anger Emotion
Many participants noted that anger was challenging to control or express, particularly for younger respondents who felt compelled to “break out” but struggled to communicate their frustration.
Several highlighted a sense of indignation when witnessing mistreatment or injustice.
Physical symptoms also emerged as a prevalent theme, with emotional research revealing increased heart rate, headaches, or sweating under anger.
These responses were most common among middle-aged and older adults, indicating how emotional health can manifest in physiological ways.
Some respondents, usually older, reported minimal reaction to anger, allowing it to pass without much upheaval.
Age Correlations in Anger Emotion
Teenagers linked anger primarily to perceived injustice, but they also found it difficult to articulate their feelings.
One described an urge to rationalize anger yet felt overwhelmed by its intensity.
Conversely, older respondents recounted suppressing anger, highlighting the physical toll of keeping it in check.
They rarely exhibited strong outward signs of anger but acknowledged the instability that comes from internalizing negative feelings.
Joy: Loved Ones and New Experiences Fuel Happiness
Common Themes in Joy Emotion
Joy was the most unanimously positive emotion in the survey.
Nearly every respondent connected it to relationships, underscoring the significance of shared emotional well-being.
One participant captured this sentiment concisely: “Joy is my daughter”.
Another pointed to the delight of spending time with close companions, engaging in enjoyable activities together.
New experiences provided a second source of joy, such as discovering unfamiliar places or learning new skills.
However, a few respondents considered joy to be fleeting, viewing it as momentary bursts of happiness that quickly ebb.
Age Correlations in Joy Emotion
Teenagers typically cited friends and family as their central source of joy, emphasizing how supportive bonds and new adventures lightened their mood.
By contrast, older adults focused on intimate connections.
They described joy as a fundamental emotional experience tied to being cherished by others.
These observations highlight how joy can resonate differently across generations, with younger participants drawn to novelty and older adults finding it in stable, meaningful relationships.
Fear: Facing the Unknown and Physical Reactions
Common Themes in Fear Emotion
Fear triggered physical responses for many respondents, who mentioned symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, and overall unease.
A shared theme was the fear of the unknown—public speaking or unfamiliar settings often led to anxiety.
Some, however, saw fear as something to confront proactively, preparing mentally or physically rather than succumbing to panic.
Age Correlations in Fear Emotion
Teenagers typically linked fear to specific conditions, such as a phobia of dogs or reluctance to drive, showing how distinct scenarios can intensify emotional distress.
Older participants offered a broader perspective, occasionally describing fewer intense fears, possibly due to developed coping strategies over time.
These differences in emotional data reflect the varied ways age groups navigate unfamiliar or threatening situations.
Sadness: Loss, Numbness, and Emotional Weight
Common Themes in Sadness Emotion
Sadness often surfaced in contexts of loss or separation.
Several individuals mentioned grieving loved ones or contemplating mortality as primary causes of sorrow.
Others described sadness as a prolonged, draining sense of numbness.
For some, sadness was only temporary, something they endured until it receded.
Age Correlations in Sadness Emotion
Younger people frequently tied their sadness to recognizing harsh realities, a process that introduced instability in their worldview.
One respondent described sadness upon understanding “how the world really works”.
Older participants portrayed sadness in deeper, more enduring terms, with one person referencing a feeling so profound it became challenging to articulate.
This points to how emotional experiences can evolve into a weightier concern as individuals accumulate life events.
Surprise: Positive, Embarrassing, or Thought-Provoking?
Common Themes in Surprise Emotion
Surprise took different forms depending on each person’s response.
Some associated surprise with positive events, like receiving an unexpected gift or a fortuitously on-time bus.
Others felt embarrassed or uneasy when caught off guard.
A small group identified surprise as a catalyst for deeper thought, prompting new perspectives or reflections on human behavior.
Age Correlations in Surprise Emotion
Teenagers generally encountered pleasant surprises—spontaneous happenings that broke routine.
Older adults discussed the reflective side of surprise, pointing to how unexpected moments can spark complex insights.
These distinctions illustrate the tension between delight in spontaneity and the more contemplative reactions that come with experience.
How Age and Gender Shape Emotional Experiences?
Sentiment analysis (using scores like VADER) suggested that older respondents often reported greater negativity, possibly stemming from broader life experiences or a heightened focus on certain emotions like anger or sadness.
Younger participants, such as those in their teens, exhibited more neutral or marginally positive reactions, potentially reflecting a more flexible or exploratory worldview.
Anonymous participants varied the most, demonstrating the wide spectrum of emotional data across different demographics.
How This Data will Create Generative Art?
Drawing on these rich insights, I will transform each core emotion—neutrality, anger, joy, fear, sadness, and surprise—into generative art that reflects the instability and diversity within emotional perspectives.
This process entails converting survey details into visual elements such as color palettes, motion, and shapes to mirror the emotional intensity or calmness conveyed by each respondent.
For instance, the communal aspects of joy may be depicted with gentle, flowing lines, while sadness might appear as darker tones and fragmented forms.
{
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,
},Motivation for Understanding Human Behavior Through Art
My central motivation lies in examining human behavior through the lens of emotional research.
By capturing data from a range of demographic segments, I aim to produce artworks that visualize the personal and communal significance of these emotions.
This intersection of new media art and quantitative emotional data offers a new way to explore our shared experiences, encouraging audiences to connect with their own and others’ emotional journeys.
For instance:
{
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,
},Such data underscores the complexity of emotional health, prompting visual expressions that illuminate the intricacies of everyday life.
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Conclusion
This survey on emotional perspectives reveals the diverse ways individuals interpret neutrality, anger, joy, fear, sadness, and surprise.
Younger respondents appear to tether their emotions more closely to external happenings—like relationships and routine activities—while older participants show a tendency toward inward reflection and, at times, more negative sentiments.
Demographic variables such as age and gender heavily influence how people express or internalize each emotion, highlighting the value of ongoing emotional research.
Ultimately, these findings confirm that no single framework can adequately capture everyone’s experiences; each life stage, personal history, and outlook contributes to the distinctive emotional data we carry.
By examining these patterns and integrating them into generative art, we can better appreciate the scope and depth of our shared emotional landscape.
Further exploration will only expand our understanding of the powerful and often unpredictable nature of human behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
