Which of the following best defines an emotion?

• A. A learned behavior that is acquired through conditioning and reinforcement
• B. A cognitive process used to solve problems and make decisions
• C. A complex psychological state that involves subjective experience, physiological response, and behavioral expression
• D. A temporary change in mood caused by external factors

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of emotion in psychology. Emotions are complex psychological states that involve multiple components, not just a single aspect like behavior or cognition.
2. Step 2: Identify the key components of an emotion. These typically include subjective experience (how a person feels internally), physiological responses (bodily changes like heart rate or hormone levels), and behavioral expressions (observable actions like facial expressions or body language).
3. Step 3: Compare each option to the definition of emotion. For example, a learned behavior acquired through conditioning relates more to behaviorism, not the full scope of emotion.
4. Step 4: Recognize that cognitive processes used to solve problems and make decisions describe thinking or cognition, which is distinct from emotion.
5. Step 5: Note that a temporary change in mood caused by external factors describes mood, which is related but different from the full psychological state of emotion.