Sources & fact-check policy
List of Human Emotions is an educational reference, so the psychology has to be right. This page explains where our information comes from, the frameworks we follow, and how we handle the limits of emotion science.
Where our information comes from
For each emotion we rely on mainstream, reputable sources — established emotion researchers, professional psychology bodies, and national health institutes — rather than pop-psychology blogs. Descriptions of triggers and expressions reflect typical patterns documented in that literature, not rules that hold for every person or every culture.
- Paul Ekman Group — Universal Emotions
- Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions (Robert Plutchik) — overview
- American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion
- American Psychological Association — Anger
- Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley — Emotions
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — Anxiety Disorders
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — Depression
The frameworks we follow
We organise emotions around two widely taught models: psychologist Paul Ekman's six basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise), which research suggests are broadly universal; and Robert Plutchik's model, in which more complex emotions form by combining basic ones (for example, love as joy plus trust). We note where scientists disagree — emotion categories are useful, not absolute.
What we changed from the original site
- Sourced every claim. The original articles were accurate but uncited; each page now links to reputable psychology sources.
- Expanded the reference. The original six basic-emotion articles are preserved and rewritten, and we added complex emotions and mood-related states drawn from the original 42-item list.
- Added a clear scope note. Pages now state plainly that this is general education, not medical or psychological advice.
Not medical advice
This site describes emotions for general understanding. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. Emotion-related states such as anxiety and depression are described at an introductory level with links to health authorities; for personal concerns, consult a qualified professional.
Corrections welcome
Spotted an error? Tell us — include a source and we'll review and update. We date our reviews and re-check pages against current sources.