Feeling

Feelings are affective states of consciousness, triggered by physiological changes arising from both sensory perceptions and memories in comparison to internally stored norms or ideals. Thinking, or the active comparing and contrasting of data, involves mental states that symbolize physiological changes and can be perceived as such.

Fear, for example, is an anticipation of injury to one's body, self image or goals. In healthy subjects, it is triggered by stimulii which indicate the presence of risk or direct danger. However direct physical stimulii is not necessary. Thoughts and/or unconscious brain patterns can promote conditioned responses, where a feeling of fear could result from imagined situations when there is no direct threat present.