As human beings, we differ from animals in that we can determine our secondary emotions. Yet, interestingly, the initial reactions of animals and humans to stimuli are often similar. We both may get angry and fight or flee.

However, humans have the ability to process our initial emotions and direct our perceptions and feelings to secondary emotions. One of my experiences while driving illustrates how perceptions and cognitive thoughts can influence emotions.

I was driving on a relatively crowded freeway, staying mostly in the passing lane because I was in a hurry and exceeding the speed limit. I came up on a group of cars traveling slowly in a caravan. The car in the left lane would not pull over to let me pass. In fact, the older woman in the driver’s seat appeared completely unaware that I wanted her to move out of the lane.

She was busy combing her hair and applying makeup.

Oh, I was angry! I immediately began constructing a nasty story about this woman. She was thoughtless and oblivious and probably did not even deserve to have a driver’s license. My emotions started boiling over. I edged up on her car and turned on my bright lights. That finally got her attention, and she changed lanes.

Case Questions

a. What caused my initial emotions?

b. Could I have done something to have prevented these emotions?

c. What triggered my secondary emotions?

d. Given this example, what could you do to create more positive emotions?