Introduction

For this other post in the series, let us look at the terms "emotion", "sentiment" and "felt experience". The distinction between these 3 terms can sometimes be confusing, but once you have the right differentiation criteria, it becomes very easy to tell them apart.

Etymology

• Emotion: Derived from the French émouvoir, formed after Old and Middle French motion « mouvement », borrowed from Latin motio « action de mouvoir, mouvement, trouble, frisson (de fièvre) ». (source)
• Sentiment: Derived from Latin « sentire », with the suffix -ment, « percevoir par les sens », then « être d'un certain avis, penser » (source)
• Felt experience: Past participle of the verb ressentir (source), a verb derived from sentir, with the prefix re-

As one might have guessed, "Sentiment" and "Felt experience" share the same origin, which does not prevent them from being distinguished later on.

Definitions

The definitions of these terms are very numerous and can be approached from several angles. I have focused on the affective and intellectual aspect.

Emotion

Réaction affective brusque et momentanée, agréable ou pénible, souvent accompagnée de manifestations physiques. Source — (A sudden and momentary affective reaction, pleasant or painful, often accompanied by physical manifestations.)

Conduite réactive, réflexe, involontaire vécue simultanément au niveau du corps d'une manière plus ou moins violente et affectivement sur le mode du plaisir ou de la douleur.Source — (A reactive, reflex, involuntary behaviour experienced simultaneously at the level of the body in a more or less violent way, and affectively in the mode of pleasure or pain.)

Examples: fear, anger, surprise, admiration, disappointment, bliss, etc.

Sentiment

Connaissance, compréhension que l'on a de certaines choses sans le secours du raisonnement, de l'expérience ; appréhension immédiate et subjective d'une réalité. Source — (Knowledge, understanding that one has of certain things without the help of reasoning or experience; immediate and subjective apprehension of a reality.)

État affectif complexe, assez stable et durable, composé d'éléments intellectuels, émotifs ou moraux, et qui concerne soit le « moi » (orgueil, jalousie...) soit autrui (amour, envie, haine...).Source — (A complex affective state, fairly stable and durable, made up of intellectual, emotional or moral elements, concerning either the "self" (pride, jealousy...) or others (love, envy, hatred...).)

Examples: love, hatred, gratitude, jealousy, nostalgia, etc.

Felt experience

(Néologisme) Ensemble des choses que l'on ressent, et qui forme l'opinion que l'on a des choses.Source — ((Neologism) The set of things that one feels, which forms the opinion one has of things.)

Éprouver dans son âme ou dans son esprit l'effet d'une cause extérieure.Source — (To experience in one's soul or in one's mind the effect of an external cause.)

Examples: well-being, ill-being, injustice, satisfaction, etc.

Practical sheet

The difference between these 3 terms can therefore be summarised (broadly) in the form of a table:

Once again, this table is not the absolute truth and, obviously, counter-examples can be found galore. But it allows you to get a first idea of what you are experiencing.

Insight

On the basis of this table and by thinking for a moment, one can understand how each of these nuances is built.
Emotion is the foundation, the elementary brick. It calls upon the primary reflexes of our psyche.
Then, with the accumulation of these emotions, sentiments are built. Sometimes in opposition to the rational logic of our brain.
Finally, the felt experience is the tip of the iceberg of all these sensations. It is unique and personal, because it calls upon our sociological conditioning (culture, religions, beliefs, education, etc.). It is often confused with intuition and its deep reasons are often hard for us to grasp, and yet, we trust it.

Benefits

Making your teams aware of the subtleties of language enables better communication and avoids misunderstandings. Knowing how to break down all the strata and the constructions allows us to have a more objective look at what is happening within us and gives us a more effective introspection.
In the management of professional relationships, it can help us deconstruct a bad (or good) a priori that would ultimately not be justified. A meeting went badly and you leave with a certain felt experience towards your interlocutors? Ask yourself why. Is it based on a particular sentiment or emotion? Setting all this affect aside, was the reaction justified?
Advertisers use (and abuse) techniques that put you in good dispositions to make you yield to their sales pitch. Do not let yourself be caught any longer by the suggestion of one or more emotions: the first tool of defence is the knowledge of all these mechanisms.

Outlook

I could have broadened the scope of this post with related terms such as "Mood", "Sensation" or "Perception". But I find that these three form a coherent triptych and I did not want to overload the explanations further. But feel free to try and complete the table 😉