Surprise
Surprise is the emotion that arises when an individual comes across an unanticipated situation. Sudden and involuntary surprise usually lasts a fraction of a second. A surprise can be a positive, neutral or negative experience.
A certain facial expression is characteristic of surprise. The most predictable signal is the raising of the eyebrows. Eyebrows curve and rise, as the eyelids open wide, and the forehead wrinkles. The relaxed jaw drops, exposing a parted upper lip and teeth. The impact of a surprise is measured by how much the jaw drops. In terms of bodily posture and vocalization, surprise is characterized by hands that fling upwards and a variety of gasps and sighs.
The momentary expression of surprise is usually followed by another emotion, like fear or happiness, which reveals emotion toward the feeling of being surprised or the surprising object. Being mugged, for example, is an unexpected ordeal. After the initial moment of surprise, the victim feels fear.
Updated, sourced overview
The text above is preserved from the original listofhumanemotions.com article. The overview below adds current, sourced context.
Surprise is a basic human emotion that emerges in response to unexpected events or stimuli. It represents a brief interruption in normal processing, occurring when reality deviates from what a person anticipated. Unlike emotions that can persist for minutes or hours, surprise is notably short-lived, often lasting only a fraction of a second before transitioning into another emotional state.
The physical expression of surprise is distinctive and nearly universal across cultures. When surprised, a person's eyebrows typically arch and rise sharply, the eyes widen noticeably, and the jaw drops slightly, often accompanied by an audible gasp or intake of breath. These involuntary changes occur rapidly and are difficult to suppress, making surprise one of the most recognizable facial expressions.
Surprise itself is emotionally neutral—neither inherently positive nor negative. Its emotional valence depends entirely on what follows the initial moment of shock. A surprise might be delightful, unsettling, or relieving depending on the nature of the unexpected event and how the person interprets it. Because surprise is so transient, it almost always immediately gives way to another emotion such as fear, joy, or relief, which reflects the person's appraisal of what has occurred.
Understanding surprise as a distinct but fleeting state helps explain why people often remember their immediate reaction and the emotion that followed more clearly than the moment of surprise itself.
This page updates and expands an original listofhumanemotions.com article with current, sourced information.
Sources: Paul Ekman Group — Universal Emotions; American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion. Educational information only — not medical or psychological advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.
Frequently asked questions
What is surprise?
Surprise is the basic emotion that arises when something unexpected happens. It is the briefest of the basic emotions — often lasting only a fraction of a second — and can be positive, neutral, or negative depending on what follows. Its…
What triggers surprise?
Surprise is typically triggered by an unexpected or sudden event.
How is surprise expressed?
Surprise is commonly shown through raised arched brows, wide eyes, open mouth, brief gasp.
Is it one of the basic emotions?
Yes — surprise is one of the six basic emotions identified by psychologist Paul Ekman (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise).
More basic emotions
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