Emotion Wheel (Feelings Wheel)
Want a feeling wheel for your office, classroom, or home? Our therapist-designed wheels are available as a 12" aluminum wheel, posters, canvas, pillows, and more at the Feeling Wheel Store. New to feeling wheels? Read the Feeling Wheel FAQ.
About this Emotion / Feelings Wheel
The core emotions in this wheel were chosen from research on affective neuroscience, especially the work of Jaak Panksepp who identified 7 primary emotions across all mammals.
Seeking
The drive to explore, investigate, and be curious; associated with motivation and goal-directed behavior
Rage
The emotion of anger and frustration, often arising from restraint or irritation
Fear
The response to perceived threat or danger; helps with survival
Lust
Sexual desire and reproductive behavior
Care
Nurturing behavior, especially toward offspring; rooted in attachment and bonding
Panic/Grief
The distress response to separation or social loss; connected to attachment systems.
Play
The urge to engage in social, joyful, and physical interaction, especially important in young mammals.
Use this feelings wheel by:
- Trace the outer emotions back to the core emotions. This is helpful for those who have a hard time accessing their deep and primal feelings.
- The other approach is to move from the inside out. Start at the core emotions and work your way out to find a nuanced and granular expression of what you are feeling. This is helpful for those who feel deeply but have difficulty putting words to their context specific emotional experience.
From 7 primary emotions to 11 core emotions
Our wheel builds on Panksepp's seven primary emotions. We expanded them into 11 core emotions at the center of the wheel, so it is easier to find a starting point that fits what you are feeling, and then move outward to more specific words.
Emotion wheel FAQ
What is an emotion wheel?
An emotion wheel, also called a feelings wheel, is a circular chart of emotions. Core emotions sit near the center and branch outward into more specific feelings, so you can move from a general sense of what you feel to the exact word.
Why does naming an emotion help?
This is often called "name it to tame it." Research on affect labeling suggests that putting a feeling into words can lower its intensity and make it easier to think clearly and decide what to do next.
Who is this emotion wheel for?
Therapists and their clients, couples, school counselors, teachers, parents, and anyone building emotional awareness. It can be used with kids, teens, and adults.
Can I get a printed emotion wheel?
Yes. Our therapist-designed wheel is available as a 12" aluminum wheel, posters, canvas, pillows, and more at the Feeling Wheel Store. You can also read a longer guide: What Is a Feeling Wheel?