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Circumplex
The circumplex model of emotion, as conceptualized by psychologist James A. Russell, represents a two-dimensional circular arrangement that simplifies the vast complexity of human emotions.
The first dimension, known as valence, refers to the degree of pleasure associated with an emotion, and extends from positive to negative (or pleasant to unpleasant) feelings.
The second dimension, arousal, indicates the level of activation or energy associated with an emotion, ranging from high to low.
This circumplex structure allows for an ordering of emotions based on their similarity: emotions close to each other on the circle have more in common, while those positioned on opposite ends are more distinct.
Emotions are thus distributed around the circumplex, creating quadrants that reflect different combinations of valence and arousal.
For instance, high arousal and positive valence correspond to emotions like excitement and elation, while high arousal and negative valence are linked to feelings such as anxiety and anger.
Conversely, emotions characterized by low arousal and negative valence include sadness and depression, whereas low arousal coupled with positive valence can be associated with calmness and relaxation.
The circumplex model not only provides a systematic approach to classifying emotions but also facilitates the understanding of emotional transitions, such as how arousal might alter the experience of a particular valence, or how movement across different quadrants can represent changes in emotional states over time or in response to various stimuli.