ABSTRACT
This group of compelling emotions is felt when we experience threats or obstacles to our desired state that we believe should be removed. In particular, the protest and fighting emotions emerge when we perceive threats and obstacles to outcomes we feel entitled to receive or possess. What is being fought for is our desire for optimal, or at least satisfying, current status. When situations emerge that interfere with our desired state we do not very often simply shrug our shoulders and forget about it. Rather, we are more likely to express our displeasure with some degree of verbal or nonverbal reaction. When a person approaches a door that they have opened and walked through numerous times before, and this time the door does not open with the typical effort, rather than just walking away, the person is likely to pull harder. When a soda machine fails to dispense the purchased soda, the person does not simply say “Oh well” and walk away; rather, he or she uses a stronger emotion, driving more extreme action to compel the machine to deliver what was expected, usually by kicking or shaking the machine. This group of compelling emotions are felt when we perceive threats to our desired state, when the perceived event is counter to one’s desired state. They compel action chosen as a means of impacting the circumstance in such a way that it will be more in line with one’s likes.
