THE STRUCTURE OF SUBJECTIVE EMOTIONAL INTENSITY

Emotions vary in intensity. But what is it that varies? There are many parameters that can be considered parameters of emotional intensity, and it is unclear how these parameters are related. The main question of this study is: Is the subjective intensity of emotion one dimension al, and, if not, what are its dimensions? We sampled 222 instances of emotions, and for each instance subjects completed a questionnaire. Th e subjects also drew a diagram of the course of their emotion over tim e. A factor analysis of the intensity questions and the diagram variab les yielded six factors: (1) duration of the emotion and delay of its onset and peak; (2) perceived bodily changes and strength of felt pass ivity; (3) recollection and re-experience of the emotion; (4) strength and drasticness of action tendency, and drasticness of actual behavio ur; (5) belief changes and influence upon long-term behaviour; and (6) overall felt intensity. Most specific dimensions correlated moderatel y with overall felt intensity. Special attention is given to the relat ion between intensity and the duration of emotion.