In her framework, **arousal** and **valence** describe _two different dimensions_ of how the body and mind register experience before any emotion is named. - **Arousal** refers to _the level of activation or energy_ in the body. **Arousal** arises from the body’s energy systems — it’s universal — but what that energy _signifies_ depends on the brain’s predictive model, which is trained by culture and past experience. - High arousal = the body is energised or mobilised (fast heartbeat, alertness, readiness to act). - Low arousal = the body is calm, still, or in low energy states (rest, fatigue, sleepiness). - **Valence**, by contrast, refers to _the quality of that bodily state_ — whether it feels _pleasant or unpleasant_. **Valence** begins as a raw bodily signal — the brain’s basic sense of whether your internal state is moving _toward_ or _away from_ balance (what she calls _allostasis_). For example, hunger or pain feels unpleasant; warmth or safety feels pleasant. - Pleasant valence = the body feels good, balanced, rewarding. - Unpleasant valence = the body feels strained, uncomfortable, or aversive. So, where **arousal** measures _how intense_ an experience feels, **valence** measures _how agreeable or disagreeable_ it feels. Barrett’s insight is that _all_ emotional experiences — joy, anger, sadness, awe — can be mapped somewhere within this two-dimensional space. For instance: - High arousal + unpleasant → anger, anxiety. - High arousal + pleasant → excitement, passion. - Low arousal + pleasant → calm, contentment. - Low arousal + unpleasant → sadness, boredom. In short: > **Arousal** = “How much energy do I feel?” > **Valence** = “Does this feel good or bad?” `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`