23/11/2025
Why We Feel What We Feel: The Evolutionary Story of Human Emotions
(And why understanding it can transform your mental health today)
Why do we feel fear even when we know we’re safe?
Why does love shake us to our core?
Why does anger rise so quickly, while calm takes time?
Human emotions often seem irrational — but they’re anything but.
They are ancient survival tools, shaped over millions of years, still whispering through our modern lives.
Your Emotions Are Ancient Messengers
Long before cities, phones, and clinics, our nervous systems evolved in forests and savannas. Every emotion was a signal:
Fear → “Threat detected. Stay alive.”
Anger → “Something is blocking your needs. Push back.”
Disgust → “Avoid contamination.”
Sadness → “Pause. Conserve energy. Heal.”
Love & bonding → “Your tribe is your survival. Stay connected.”
Today, the world has changed — but our internal wiring is still tuned to ancient dangers.
That’s why a WhatsApp message can trigger the same adrenaline surge once meant for predators.
The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence
While basic emotions kept our ancestors alive, one ability made humans truly unique:
Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
The capacity to read, regulate, and respond to emotions — both ours and others’.
It has deep evolutionary roots, shaping cooperation, communication, and even leadership in early human groups.
Emotional intelligence is deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. As such, evolutionary psychology can help advance our understanding of emotional intelligence. Here's how.
