Beyond Basic Emotions: The Proliferation of ‘Neo-Emotions’

Researchers are increasingly observing the emergence of these “neo-emotions” – newly articulated feelings that capture experiences not traditionally recognized or defined. While velvetmist originated from artificial intelligence, the vast majority are human-created, reflecting our evolving responses to a rapidly changing world. This isn’t simply about having more words for feelings; it’s a fundamental change in how we perceive and process our emotional lives.

Sociologist Marci Cottingham, whose 2024 research initially highlighted this trend, identifies a growing lexicon of these new emotional states. Terms like “Black joy” – the celebratory embrace of embodied pleasure as a form of resistance – and “trans euphoria” – the affirming joy of gender identity – represent powerful, culturally specific experiences. Others, like “eco-anxiety” – the pervasive fear of climate disaster – and “hypernormalization” – the unsettling pressure to maintain normalcy amidst societal upheaval – speak to the anxieties of our time. Even the language of online disengagement, with terms like “doomer” and “doomscrolling,” reflects a distinct emotional landscape.

A History of Evolving Feelings

Emotional vocabulary has always been fluid. Consider “nostalgia,” once a diagnosable medical condition during the Civil War, characterized by debilitating homesickness. Today, it’s a gentle fondness for the past. Similarly, we borrow emotional terms from other cultures – hygge (Danish coziness) and kvell (Yiddish pride) – enriching our emotional palette. This constant evolution isn’t new, but the *rate* of change appears to be accelerating.

Cottingham argues that the proliferation of neo-emotions is linked to increased online interaction. These new terms provide a framework for relating to others and making sense of shared experiences, gaining traction through social media engagement. Even subtle variations on existing feelings, when precisely defined, can foster connection and self-reflection. “These are potentially signals that tell us about our place in the world,” she explains.

Challenging the ‘Basic Emotions’ Paradigm

For decades, the prevailing scientific view held that humans share a limited set of “basic” emotions – happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust. However, this notion is being challenged by the work of clinical psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett of Northeastern University. Through advanced brain imaging and cross-cultural studies, Barrett demonstrates that emotions aren’t biologically predetermined but are, instead, culturally constructed. As she succinctly puts it, “How do you know what anger and sadness and fear are? Because somebody taught you.”

If emotions aren’t innate, then social and cultural interpretations become paramount. Cottingham echoes this sentiment, stating that emotions are “a practical resource people are using as they navigate the world.” This perspective reframes emotions not as fixed entities but as tools we create and utilize to understand and respond to our environment.

While some neo-emotions, like Barrett’s playful suggestion of “chiplessness” (the relief of finishing a bag of chips), may be fleeting novelties, others – such as eco-anxiety and Black joy – have the potential to galvanize social movements and shape collective action. What new feelings will emerge as our world continues to evolve?

Do you think the increasing specificity of emotional language is a positive development, or does it risk overcomplicating our understanding of fundamental human experiences?

And, considering the rapid pace of change, what neo-emotion do you think will define the next decade?

Frequently Asked Questions About Neo-Emotions

• What exactly *are* neo-emotions?

  Neo-emotions are newly identified and named emotional states that describe experiences not traditionally recognized or defined. They often reflect responses to contemporary social and cultural shifts.

• Is velvetmist a ‘real’ emotion?

  While initially generated by ChatGPT, velvetmist exemplifies the phenomenon of neo-emotions. Whether it’s a truly distinct feeling or a nuanced combination of existing ones is a matter of ongoing discussion.

• How do neo-emotions differ from simply having a large vocabulary for feelings?

  Neo-emotions aren’t just about having more words; they represent a shift in how we *conceptualize* and *categorize* emotional experiences, often reflecting new social or cultural realities.

• Why are we seeing more neo-emotions now?

  Researchers believe increased online interaction, coupled with rapid societal changes, are contributing to the proliferation of neo-emotions. Social media provides a platform for sharing and validating these new emotional experiences.

• Can learning to identify neo-emotions benefit my well-being?

  Yes! Research suggests that “emotional granularity” – the ability to differentiate between specific emotions – is linked to improved mental and physical health, reduced stress, and better coping mechanisms.