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of activity, the overwhelming evidence is similar. This proves that the ANS patterns
served an adaptive function.
If emotions have a functional life task to perfonu, they then must occur in
certain contexts. However, learning also contributes to the establishment of
antecedents. Ekman (1999) cites research where monkeys were taught to fear snakes.
Other research found in many non-western cultures there was a lot in common in
antecedents especially at the abstract level. Ekman does not fully believe that emotions
are present at birth. Izard (1977) disagrees with this although Carnras has come up with
evidence to the contrary.
The presence of emotions in primates was mentioned by Darwin in his research
in The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (]872) and confinued by
Plutchik in 1962. Some emotions may be unique to humans although this has not been
proved conclusively. However, man also has the capacity to express his emotions.
Basic emotions are said to have a quick onset in order to enable us to respond
quickly to environmental changes. They are also of short duration and they are not of
our own making. Our experiences, thoughts, memories and expectations are coloured
with emotions and not just social learning. Therefore, it is important to know that
emotions differ from other affective phenomena in these respects.
Basic emotions are expressed facially in a similar manner throughout the
cultures. Brand and Graves (1994:162) call these theoretically pure or "uncognised"
emotions. This has been established through research. Basic emotions are inborn and
are controlled by the relevant brain systems. Sternberg (1998: 542) mentions five
emotions, which he regards as basic to all human beings i.e. happiness, fear, anger,
sadness and disgust, with surprise, guilt and shame as additional ones. According to
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