Emotions play an important role in how we think and behave. The emotions we feeleach day can compel us to take action and influence the decisions we make aboutour lives, both large and small. In order to truly understand emotions, it is importantto understand the three critical components of an emotion. There are three parts to an emotion:A subjective component (how you experience the emotion)A physiological component (how your bodies react to the emotion)An expressive component (how you behave in response to the emotion).These different elements can play a role in the function and purpose of your emotional responses.Emotions can be short-lived, such as a flash of annoyance at a co-worker, orlong-lasting, such as enduring sadness over the loss of a relationship. But why exactlydo we experience emotions? What role do they serve?Emotions Can Motivate Us to Take ActionWhen faced with a nerve-wracking exam, you might feel a lot of anxiety aboutwhether you will perform well and how the test will impact your final grade. Because of these emotional responses, you might be more likely to study. Since you experienced a particular emotion, you had the motivation to take action and dosomething positive to improve your chances of getting a good grade.We also tend to take certain actions in order to experience positive emotions andminimize the probability of feeling negative emotions. For example, you might seek out social activities or hobbies that provide you with a sense of happiness, contentment, and excitement. On the other hand, you would probably avoid situations that might potentially lead to boredom, sadness, or anxiety.Emotions Help Us Survive, Thrive, and Avoid DangerNaturalist 'Charles Darwin believed that emotions are adaptations that allow both humans and animals to survive and reproduce. When we are angry, we are likely to confront the source of our irritation.When we experience fear, we are more likely to flee the threat. When we feel love, we might seek out a mate and reproduce.Emotions serve an adaptive role in our lives by motivating us to act quickly and take actions that will maximize our chances of survival and success