I deal with a lot of people who poo-poo the need for emotions. Funny that happens to a therapist, huh? Most of what I see as “logical” in my sessions with couples is really avoidance. See my post on being logical vs. being withdrawn. But I really wanted to address some reasons why some leading thinkers proposed that we evolved emotions in the first place.

Here are some major theories about the evolutionary purpose for emotions. Each of them has a different angle on the purpose of emotions in human survival.

1. The Adaptationist Theory

The adaptationist theory posits that emotions evolved as adaptive responses to the challenges faced by our ancestors throughout their evolutionary history. To enhance our understanding, we turn to the work of Tooby and Cosmides (1990), who proposed that emotions served as valuable tools for survival and reproduction. For instance, fear triggered the fight-or-flight response, allowing early humans to swiftly respond to potential threats, thereby increasing their chances of survival.

Furthermore, positive emotions like love and bonding, as discussed by Bowlby (1969) and Fisher (2004), played a crucial role in strengthening social connections within groups. These emotional bonds fostered cooperation and mutual support, enhancing group cohesion and, consequently, the overall survival of the community.

2. The Social Functioning Hypothesis

The social functioning hypothesis suggests that emotions evolved to facilitate effective social interactions. Research by Preston and de Waal (2002) revealed that emotions, such as empathy and compassion, enable humans to better understand and respond to the feelings and intentions of others. These emotions played a pivotal role in forming bonds, alliances, and maintaining harmonious relationships within social circles.

Moreover, Keltner and Haidt (1999) explored how emotions, such as guilt, played a crucial role in resolving conflicts and maintaining social order. The experience of guilt encouraged cooperative behavior and discouraged individuals from acting selfishly or engaging in harmful actions within the community.

3. The Cognitive Appraisal Theory

The cognitive appraisal theory suggests that emotions are a product of our cognitive evaluations of specific situations or stimuli. Lazarus (1991) argued that emotions arise when we perceive an event as either beneficial or threatening to our well-being. This theory proposes that emotions evolved as an information-processing system, helping early humans make quick decisions and respond appropriately to their environment.

For example, the classic research by Schachter and Singer (1962) demonstrated that individuals' emotional experiences are influenced by their cognitive interpretation of physiological arousal. Emotions, therefore, served as a survival mechanism, guiding behavior in response to various environmental stimuli.

4. The Signaling Function Hypothesis

The signaling function hypothesis suggests that emotions evolved as a means of communication between individuals. Early humans lacked complex language systems, so emotions acted as non-verbal cues, conveying important information about their internal states and intentions.

Ekman and Friesen (1969) extensively researched universal facial expressions of emotions, indicating that these expressions served as reliable signals across cultures and evolutionary history. Emotions helped establish trust and cooperation among individuals, ensuring better coordination within groups and improving overall social dynamics.

5. The Energetic Efficiency Hypothesis

The energetic efficiency hypothesis proposes that emotions evolved to regulate energy expenditure efficiently. To address this aspect, we turn to the work of Nesse (1990), who argued that emotions are intense and short-lived bursts of physiological responses triggered by specific situations. These responses, such as increased heart rate during fear or excitement, mobilize the body's energy resources for immediate action.

In ancestral environments, resources were scarce, and conserving energy was essential for survival. Emotions, therefore, allowed early humans to activate necessary physiological changes quickly, enabling them to deal with challenges while conserving energy during less demanding times.

The evolutionary development of emotions is a fascinating and complex topic, drawing on various theories supported by scholarly research and scientific literature. As we appreciate the intricate web of emotional experiences that make us uniquely human, understanding these evolutionary theories enables us to gain valuable insights into the deep roots of our emotional nature. For more on emotions, see my post on logic vs. emotional intelligence.

Check out my marriage counseling page to see how I think. If you are in Minnesota, I can help. I’m in Edina and serve the greater Minneapolis area. You can reach me by phone: 612-230-7171 or email through my contact page. Or you can click on the button below and self-schedule a time to talk by phone or video.