Being aware of primary, secondary and tertiary emotions is important for critical feeling

Have you ever had a situation where someone gave you information on behalf of somebody else, and the original information have been distorted.

I am sure you have.

That’s the problem with “secondary information”.

When it comes to our own feelings, it’s the same problem with secondary emotion that is derived from our initial primary emotion.

Like any information, secondary sources can get distorted if one is not aware.

This can lead to many unnecessary conflict, misunderstanding and drama.

Learning how to differentiate a secondary emotion from a primary emotion is an important part of critical feeling.

An example is primary anger versus secondary anger.  It’s important to know if it’s primary or secondary.  Anger can be secondary to shame, disconnectedness, fear or anxiety is a common example.  In other words, underneath the anger can lie shame, disconnectedness, fear or anxiety.  And in order to alleviate the anger, one has to address the shame, disconnectedness, fear or anxiety.  

Whereas, in a context where someone has lied to us or put us in danger, this may trigger a primary anger which might be quite appropriate. It helps to motivate and give us the courage to rectify the issues promptly.

I wonder if you can relate.