Development in Processing of Multiple Emotional Situations

Two age groups of children (6- and 10-year-olds) were told stories that could lead to a simultaneous experience of two different emotions. In half of these situations both of the impulses were negative; in the other half, one was positive and the other negative. The 6-year-olds were inclined to ignore one of the two emotion impulses, especially when the two emotions were of opposite kinds. Children's simultaneous experience of more than two emotions led to speculation about the origin of new emotions out of the blending of emotions. On the basis of a simple intensity index with every emotion, we could also investigate further the mutual intensity and influence of simultaneously occuring emotions.