The Circumplex Model of Affect

The Circumplex Model of Affect is a way psychologists categorize emotions based on two main dimensions: valence (how positive or negative an emotion is) and arousal (how energized or calm we feel). Imagine a circle where different emotions are placed around the edges according to these qualities. For example, excitement is high arousal and positive, while sadness is low arousal and negative. This model helps us understand the relationships among emotions, showing that feelings can be mapped along a continuum, revealing how similar or different they are based on their intensity and mood direction.