Neuroscience tells us emotions are key to learning, but which ones should we appeal to and when? Drawing from the writings of Paul Ekman and Annie Murphy Paul, here's a handy list of which emotions get people's attention, and which emotions help them learn.

1. 6 Basic Emotions 7 Academic Emotions
Curiosity
Delight
Flow
Engagement
Confusion
Frustration
Boredom
Focus on these once they’re
committed to learning.
Source: Annie Murphy Paul
Anger
Disgust
Fear
Joy
Sadness
Surprise
To get people’s attention,
appeal to these.
Source: Paul Ekman
We make decisions with emotional brain & justify them with rational brain.
© Judy Albers, Intrepid Learning, Inc.