introduction to each emotion’s basic function, and these will be

expanded upon in the emotion-specific chapters in Part B.

Anger fits the facts when we are blocked in pursuit of a goal, or

when we are threatened. Linehan includes in this category ‘when
we are in a lot of pain’ which might be conceptualised as a type
of physical threat. The function of anger is to supply us with a
burst of energy, by which we can crash through the obstacle or
fend off an aggressor. The action urge of anger is to attack.
Sadness fits the fact when we have suffered a loss. The first
function of sadness is to stop us from losing any more, so the
initial action urge is to withdraw, which would serve the function
of conserving our resources. The second function, which usually
comes a little later, is to recover or replace what has been lost, so
the action urge associated with this phase is pining for and
seeking out the lost person, place, or item. During this phase we
are likely to seek out reminders of the source of our grief. Crying
and other signs of sadness serve to draw in support from others
to help with the search.
Fear fits the facts when we are in danger. Linehan refers to serious
risks to your life, health, or well-being. For example, the loss of
your home or your livelihood would constitute danger. The
function of fear is to keep you safe from harm. Le Doux and Pine
(2016) suggest that anxiety occurs when danger is further off, so
that there is still a chance to avoid it, whilst pure fear kicks in
when the danger is almost on top of us. The action urge for pure
fear is to freeze. This might have been an advantage for
predator-threats, leaving us cold, immobile, and holding our
breath. These actions could help evade detection, or even mimic
death to divert animals who prefer live prey.
Joy fits the facts when something is of benefit to us. The function is
to help us to maximise our gains by prompting us to repeat this
activity. As with other emotions it is possible to have
inappropriate joy, e.g. when you have seen your drug dealer, or if
you witness others having a hard time.
Guilt fits the facts when we have offended our social group by
transgressing the group rules or norms. The function of guilt is to
keep us as part of a social group and so the action urge is to
repair the transgression. As social rules are seldom written down
we tend to assimilate them, which is why Linehan refers to
‘breaking your own rules’. I also add in an external frame of
reference – have you violated any group norms? – as sometimes
the client’s internal frame of reference is compromised by their
clinical issues.
Shame also fits the facts when we have violated a group rule, but in
this case our offence is so terrible that there is a risk of being
expelled. Rather than risk trying to make a repair, Shame
prompts us to cover up our crime, with the action urge of hiding.
This buys time for the incident to blow over and for us to avoid
rejection
Disgust fits the facts when there is a risk of contamination through
toxins or noxious substances. It helps us avoid infection or
poisoning, and the action urge is to repel or recoil from the
offending item. We can also feel disgust if there is a risk of social
contamination, which is why most people do not want to make
friends with paedophiles or racists unless they assume an
affiliation with that group.
Envy fits the facts when someone else has something that we would
like for ourselves. The function is to get rid of the discrepancy
between us, and the action urge is either to attain the coveted
item or to destroy it, so that we are no longer unequal.
Jealousy fits the facts when we have something precious and we
fear someone else might take it from us. This functions to help us
keep our advantages and resources, and the action urge is to
jealously guard and protect the things we value highly. On a
technical note it is hard to distinguish jealousy and anxiety – the
client often describes anxiety sensations, and the behaviours
function to try and avoid loss of status.
Therapists need to be very clear on the different emotions, their
names, functions, and action urges. Each emotion will be regulated
using a different set of strategies, so it is impossible to coach
emotion regulation adequately without knowing which one is being
regulated. In a dialectical approach, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’.