Decoding Emotions: Words, Signals, and Actions
A structured guide to identifying the vocabulary, physiological cues, and behavioral patterns of core emotions
Decoding Emotions: Words, Signals, and Actions
A structured guide to identifying the vocabulary, physiological cues, and behavioral patterns of core emotions
Decoding Emotions: Words, Signals, and Actions
A structured guide to identifying the vocabulary, physiological cues, and behavioral patterns of core emotions
Emotional literacy (the ability to recognize, label, and describe emotional experiences) is linked to better emotional health: people who can tell their emotions apart in detail tend to cope better (Smidt & Suvak, 2015), and naming fear during exposure therapy went with greater fear reduction (Kircanski et al., 2012). Every emotion has three observable dimensions: the language we use to name it, the physiological and bodily signs it produces, and the behaviors it drives. By mapping these dimensions, you build a richer internal vocabulary that supports faster recognition and more effective regulation of intense feelings.
For each emotion listed, write related emotion words in the first column, physical signs in the second column, and observable behaviors in the third column. Draw from your own experience as well as the examples discussed in session.
| Emotion & Related Words | Physical Signs | Behaviors & Actions |
|---|---|---|
References
- Kircanski, K., Lieberman, M. D., & Craske, M. G. (2012). Feelings into words: Contributions of language to exposure therapy. Psychological Science, 23(10), 1086-1091. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612443830
- Smidt, K. E., & Suvak, M. K. (2015). A brief, but nuanced, review of emotional granularity and emotion differentiation research. Current Opinion in Psychology, 3, 48-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.02.007
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What is the Decoding Emotions: Words, Signals, and Actions worksheet?
Emotional literacy (the ability to recognize, label, and describe emotional experiences) is linked to better emotional health: people who can tell their emotions apart in detail tend to cope better (Smidt & Suvak, 2015), and naming fear during exposure therapy went with greater fear reduction (Kircanski et al., 2012).
How do I use the Decoding Emotions: Words, Signals, and Actions worksheet?
Fill out this worksheet digitally or print it for use in session. You can save your progress with a Pro account. Take your time with each column — there are no right or wrong answers.
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