Anticipation: quick facts
Anticipation is the emotion of looking forward to a future event, blending attention and arousal as the mind prepares for what is to come. It can be pleasant, as when awaiting a celebration, or tense, as when awaiting…
Category
Complex & secondary emotions
Valence
Neutral
Emotion family / blend
Surprise
Typical triggers
Upcoming events, deadlines, expected outcomes, planning ahead
How it's expressed
Forward-leaning posture, focused gaze, restlessness, watchful stillness
Sources: American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion; Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley — Emotions; Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions (Robert Plutchik) — overview. Educational information only — not medical or psychological advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.