Our Emotional System is a “System”
Our emotional system should be treated as a system in much the same way we study other systems such as physics, chemistry, cultural dynamics, and music. Just as these systems are integral to understanding the world around us, our emotional system plays a critical role in shaping how we experience life, respond to challenges, and interact with others. Emotions are not isolated events; they are complex, interconnected processes that influence our thoughts, behaviours, and relationships. Learning about how our emotional system works can provide students with essential tools to understand their feelings, manage stress, and navigate social situations with greater empathy and insight.
Emotional System is built on Principles
Just as we teach students to analyze physical systems or chemical reactions, understanding the emotional system equips them with the knowledge of how emotions arise, interact, and impact their mental and physical health. By recognizing emotions as a system that follows patterns and is influenced by a variety of internal and external factors, students can better manage their emotional responses and develop resilience. Learning this system in school, alongside traditional subjects, prepares students for life’s challenges, helping them build emotional intelligence and healthy coping mechanisms. In turn, this promotes not only personal well-being but also healthier relationships and communities. (See White Paper: Evidence-Based Principles fundamental to Adolescents Emotional Growth)
Why did we not teach this in the past
In the past, teaching the emotional system in schools was challenging because it was difficult to convey the complexity of emotions purely through textbooks or traditional lectures. Emotions are inherently experiential and personal, making them harder to teach in an abstract, theoretical way. However, with the advent of multimedia resources like clips from movies and television, teaching emotional systems has become much more accessible and relatable. These media provide vivid, real-life examples of emotions in action, showing how characters react to stress, joy, conflict, and other emotional experiences. By observing these emotions in context, students can more easily understand the dynamics of their own emotional responses and relate to the emotional experiences of others. This shift from abstract theory to concrete visual examples makes it easier for students to grasp the concepts behind their emotions, providing them with the tools to recognize and process their own feelings.
