Emotional Competency

Emotional Competency
Developing Essential Social Skills

Surprise
Sudden Unexpected Event

You are unprepared for the unexpected event that suddenly unfolds and it surprises you.

Definitions

Sudden unexpected event

Related Terms

While Paul Ekman regards surprise as an emotion, he distinguishes it from startle, which he regards as a reflex. Both are brief, but surprise is not as short as a startle. Also, you can be startled even if you are expecting the event, say a gun shot or other loud noise, however you cannot be surprised if you know what is about to happen. Finally, the eyes are wide open in a surprised expression and tightly closed in a startle reaction.

Facial Expression:

The facial expression of surprise has these distinctive features:

Eyes wide open,
Jaw dropped, with the mouth wide open.

References

[Ekm] Emotions Revealed: Recognizing Faces and Feelings to Improve Communication and Emotional Life, by Paul Ekman

Fear, Sadness, Anger, Joy, Surprise, Disgust, Contempt, Anger, Envy, Jealousy, Fright, Anxiety, Guilt, Shame, Relief, Hope, Sadness, Depression, Happiness, Pride, Love, Gratitude, Compassion, Aesthetic Experience, Joy, Distress, Happy-for, Sorry-for, Resentment, Gloating, Pride, Shame, Admiration, Reproach, Love, Hate, Hope, Fear, Satisfaction, Relief, Fears-confirmed, Disappointment, Gratification, Gratitude, Anger, Remorse, power, dominance, status, relationships

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