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. 2010 Nov 25;2:109. doi: 10.3389/fnevo.2010.00109

Table 1.

Percentage of children in each age band who understood each emotion word.

Emotion word Age (years)
4–6 (%) 7–8 (%) 9–10 (%) 11–12 (%) 13–14 (%) 15–16 (%)
1. Absorbed 0.0 10.5 50.0 78.0 91.8 90.9
2. Accepting 25.0 63.2 66.7 96.6 98.5 97.0
3. Accusing 6.3 31.6 61.1 93.2 97.8 93.8
4. Adoring 18.8 36.8 77.8 94.9 97.8 90.9
5. Affectionate 12.5 15.8 44.4 76.3 94.7 89.4
6. Afraid 75.0 94.7 100 100 100 98.5
7. Aggressive 6.3 52.6 66.7 93.2 98.5 97.0
8. Agony 6.3 63.2 66.7 89.8 95.5 87.9
9. Agreeable 31.3 50.0 83.3 84.7 95.5 92.4
10. Alarmed 18.8 33.3 58.8 91.5 96.3 90.9
11. Alert 0.0 10.5 52.9 96.6 98.5 95.5
12. Amazed 37.5 89.5 77.8 98.3 100 95.5
13. Amused 12.5 42.1 72.2 100 94.0 95.5
14. Angry 87.5 94.7 88.9 98.3 98.5 95.5
15. Annoyed 62.5 89.5 100 98.3 99.3 95.5
16. Anticipating 0.0 10.5 38.9 69.5 85.0 83.3
17. Anxious 6.3 36.8 72.2 81.4 96.3 89.2
18. Apologetic 12.5 42.1 61.1 86.4 92.5 90.9
19. Appalled 0.0 10.5 61.1 88.1 91.8 90.9
20. Appreciated 25.0 52.6 61.1 89.8 92.5 86.4
21. Approving 12.5 15.8 38.9 89.8 97.0 97.0
22. Argumentative 25.0 68.4 72.2 93.2 97.0 89.4
23. Ashamed 31.3 31.6 83.3 94.9 97.8 93.9
24. Assessing 0.0 5.3 5.6 67.8 86.6 78.8
25. Assured 0.0 15.8 38.9 84.7 89.6 87.9
26. Astonished 18.8 36.8 61.1 91.5 97.0 89.4
27. Astounded 0.0 10.5 41.2 79.7 86.6 83.3
28. Attacked 56.3 78.9 88.9 100 99.3 92.3
29. Attracted 6.3 42.1 76.5 96.6 97.8 92.4
30. Aware 18.8 36.8 61.1 98.3 99.3 95.5
31. Bad-tempered 37.5 89.5 83.3 100 100 93.9
32. Baffled 0.0 0.0 33.3 74.6 87.3 89.2
33. Bashful 0.0 10.5 33.3 75.9 83.6 86.4
34. Battered 31.3 42.1 58.8 94.8 95.5 93.9
35. Begging 18.8 57.9 100 100 99.3 97.0
36. Betrayed 0.0 10.5 47.1 94.9 97.0 96.9
37. Bewildered 6.3 10.5 35.3 72.9 88.8 80.3
38. Bitter 12.5 15.8 58.8 91.5 96.3 92.4
39. Bliss 0.0 0.0 17.6 78.0 91.8 89.4
40. Boastful 6.3 31.6 55.6 98.3 96.3 95.5
41. Bold 18.8 26.3 66.7 94.9 97.0 98.5
42. Bored 81.3 94.4 100 100 99.3 100
43. Bothered 50.0 73.7 83.3 93.2 99.3 95.5
44. Brave 68.8 89.5 100 100 100 98.5
45. Broken 75.0 78.9 77.8 93.2 99.3 98.5
46. Brokenhearted 25.0 63.2 100 94.9 97.8 97.0
47. Calculating 18.8 21.1 33.3 84.7 91.8 95.5
48. Calm 50.0 73.7 88.9 98.3 99.3 97.0
49. Carefree 0.0 10.5 50.0 83.1 94.8 97.0
50. Caring 68.8 84.2 88.9 100 98.5 93.9
51. Cautious 0.0 21.1 61.1 91.4 97.8 95.5
52. Certain 25.0 57.9 88.9 100 98.5 97.0
53. Challenging 12.5 47.4 66.7 93.2 97.8 97.0
54. Charitable 0.0 10.5 47.1 74.6 91.8 90.9
55. Charmed 0.0 31.6 47.1 89.8 98.5 93.9
56. Cheated 56.3 78.9 83.3 96.6 98.5 97.0
57. Cheered 43.8 73.7 88.9 98.3 97.8 98.5
58. Cheerful 62.5 89.5 94.4 100 99.3 98.5
59. Choosing 81.3 84.2 77.8 94.9 96.3 97.0
60. Close 62.5 89.5 94.4 94.9 99.3 95.5
61. Clueless 6.3 42.1 76.5 94.9 98.5 97.0
62. Cocky 0.0 5.3 41.2 84.7 92.5 95.5
63. Cold 62.5 57.9 72.2 96.6 99.3 95.5
64. Comfortable 81.3 89.5 83.3 98.3 99.3 93.9
65. Comforting 18.8 52.6 61.1 98.3 97.8 92.4
66. Commiserating 0.0 0.0 5.6 37.3 57.5 63.6
67. Compassionate 0.0 5.3 44.4 67.8 81.3 83.3
68. Complacent 0.0 0.0 5.6 30.5 46.3 69.7
69. Complaining 50.0 78.9 94.4 100 98.5 97.0
70. Conceited 0.0 5.3 6.3 33.9 56.7 71.2
71. Concentrating 56.3 78.9 100 100 95.5 95.5
72. Condescending 0.0 0.0 0.0 55.2 49.6 60.6
73. Confrontational 0.0 0.0 16.7 52.5 72.4 84.6
74. Confronted 0.0 0.0 27.8 86.4 91.8 97.0
75. Confused 43.8 78.9 94.4 100 99.3 98.5
76. Considerate 12.5 22.2 50.0 89.8 97.8 98.5
77. Contempt 0.0 0.0 16.7 64.4 78.4 89.4
78. Content 12.5 22.2 44.4 93.2 95.5 93.9
79. Contrary 0.0 5.6 35.3 74.6 79.9 83.3
80. Controlled 6.3 38.9 66.7 94.9 98.5 97.0
81. Convinced 0.0 22.2 66.7 96.6 96.3 95.5
82. Cooperative 6.3 26.3 77.8 93.2 99.3 97.0
83. Courageous 6.3 11.1 66.7 91.5 92.5 92.3
84. Cowardly 12.5 22.2 77.8 93.2 97.0 97.0
85. Crafty 18.8 22.2 66.7 98.3 99.3 98.4
86. Cranky 6.3 16.7 38.9 76.3 89.6 95.3
87. Craving 0.0 5.6 27.8 78.0 94.8 98.4
88. Critical 6.3 5.6 33.3 86.4 96.3 98.4
89. Cross 81.3 94.4 100 98.3 100 96.9
90. Cruel 62.5 94.4 100 100 100 98.4
91. Crushed 43.8 50.0 77.8 94.9 100 96.9
92. Cunning 6.3 16.7 44.4 98.3 99.3 96.9
93. Curious 18.8 38.9 70.6 100 100 98.4
94. Daring 25.0 72.2 83.3 98.3 98.5 95.3
95. Daydreaming 62.5 77.8 94.4 98.3 100 98.4
96. Dazed 12.5 16.7 44.4 82.8 98.5 96.9
97. Deciding 43.8 77.8 77.8 87.5 97.0 95.3
98. Defeated 12.5 44.4 77.8 94.9 100 96.9
99. Defensive 0.0 22.2 33.3 75.0 99.2 96.9
100. Definite 18.8 55.6 77.8 83.1 89.5 90.6
101. Delighted 37.5 77.8 94.4 81.4 100 95.3
102. Demanding 12.5 61.1 72.2 81.8 98.5 93.8
103. Depressed 18.8 38.9 72.2 76.0 99.2 95.3
104. Desire 6.3 10.5 44.4 82.4 98.5 93.8
105. Despair 12.5 5.3 47.1 91.2 93.2 93.8
106. Desperate 50.0 52.6 83.3 79.5 100 96.9
107. Detached 18.8 26.3 38.9 83.3 98.5 93.7
108. Determined 12.5 52.6 72.2 86.2 97.0 98.4
109. Detesting 6.3 0.0 33.3 80.4 93.2 96.9
110. Devious 0.0 5.3 29.4 69.4 89.5 93.8
111. Devoted 0.0 0.0 33.3 78.8 97.0 96.9
112. Dictating 0.0 5.3 11.1 78.9 88.7 87.5
113. Difficult 68.8 94.7 94.4 98.3 100 98.4
114. Dignified 6.3 0.0 38.9 72.9 85.0 96.8
115. Disagreeable 12.5 63.2 83.3 93.3 99.2 96.9
116. Disappointed 56.3 78.9 88.9 89.4 100 98.4
117. Disapproval 6.3 21.1 55.6 93.1 95.5 96.8
118. Disbelief 12.5 47.4 77.8 98.2 97.7 95.2
119. Disbelieving 12.5 52.6 88.9 91.4 97.7 96.8
120. Discomfort 0.0 57.9 50.0 96.7 97.7 95.2
121. Discontented 0.0 10.5 44.4 84.5 86.5 93.5
122. Discouraged 0.0 10.5 38.9 96.4 95.5 98.4
123. Discouraging 0.0 5.3 38.9 88.1 94.0 98.4
124. Disgrace 6.3 26.3 55.6 95.2 97.0 98.4
125. Disgust 43.8 52.6 72.2 98.3 97.0 98.4
126. Disheartened 0.0 5.3 27.8 73.0 85.7 96.8
127. Disinterested 6.3 57.9 66.7 79.7 85.0 96.8
128. Dislike 43.8 84.2 94.4 80.8 100 98.4
129. Dismayed 0.0 5.3 38.9 77.6 85.7 90.5
130. Dispirited 0.0 0.0 44.4 84.0 82.0 92.1
131. Displeased 6.3 63.2 83.3 86.4 98.5 98.4
132. Disregard 0.0 0.0 27.8 71.2 78.2 93.8
133. Disrespectful 0.0 52.6 72.2 94.6 97.0 95.3
134. Dissatisfied 6.3 42.1 55.6 77.8 93.2 95.3
135. Distant 6.3 47.4 55.6 88.5 98.5 95.3
136. Distaste 0.0 11.1 27.8 80.4 90.2 90.5
137. Distracted 31.3 57.9 77.8 91.5 96.2 98.4
138. Distress 6.3 10.5 50.0 93.3 97.0 98.4
139. Distrust 12.5 36.8 66.7 77.0 95.5 95.2
140. Disturbed 37.5 52.6 55.6 98.3 97.0 96.8
141. Dominated 0.0 5.3 27.8 76.7 88.0 95.3
142. Doubtful 6.3 36.8 55.6 92.1 99.2 96.9
143. Dread 6.3 26.3 66.7 94.9 98.5 95.3
144. Dreamy 50.0 52.6 88.9 87.9 99.2 96.9
145. Eager 6.3 26.3 77.8 76.6 88.4 93.8
146. Easy-going 12.5 26.3 55.6 84.5 93.0 93.8
147. Embarrassed 50.0 89.5 88.9 76.9 100 95.2
148. Encouraged 18.8 42.1 66.7 82.8 86.0 96.9
149. Encouraging 18.8 36.8 66.7 76.7 90.7 96.9
150. Enjoyment 56.3 73.7 94.4 90.2 97.7 96.9
151. Enthusiastic 6.3 31.6 38.9 83.3 92.7 98.4
152. Excited 75.0 100 94.4 82.0 97.7 96.8
153. Fascinated 12.5 52.6 72.2 85.2 90.7 96.9
154. Favor 31.3 57.9 83.3 90.9 95.3 95.3
155. Fear 50.0 94.7 88.9 91.4 100 95.3
156. Fed up 81.3 94.7 100 94.6 100 96.9
157. Fierce 68.8 78.9 77.8 88.1 97.6 96.9
158. Fine 62.5 73.7 94.4 94.7 100 98.4
159. Fired up 0.0 26.3 44.4 81.1 85.7 98.4
160. Flattered 6.3 5.3 38.9 83.9 97.6 100
161. Focused 6.3 31.6 61.1 71.6 100 98.4
162. Fond 12.5 52.6 88.9 82.8 85.4 98.4
163. Foolish 6.3 63.2 66.7 89.8 97.6 100
164. Forbidding 0.0 15.8 33.3 77.8 88.1 98.4
165. Forceful 12.5 27.8 55.6 90.7 95.2 98.4
166. Forgiving 31.3 89.5 100 86.2 100 100
167. Friendly 87.5 100 100 76.1 100 98.4
168. Frightened 87.5 100 100 81.5 100 96.7
169. Frustrated 6.3 52.6 55.6 89.5 88.1 96.7
170. Furious 25.0 78.9 88.9 85.2 97.6 95.1
171. Generous 26.7 27.3 84.0 82.3 100 96.7
172. Gentle 90.0 87.9 96.2 94.4 100 96.7
173. Giving 80.0 87.9 92.3 92.9 100 98.4
174. Glad 86.7 90.9 100 95.7 100 96.7
175. Gloomy 33.3 24.2 76.9 91.3 95.2 98.4
176. Glum 23.3 18.2 61.5 70.0 85.7 96.7
177. Grateful 41.4 72.7 96.2 91.8 100 96.7
178. Grave 13.3 15.2 53.8 75.4 93.0 98.4
179. Grief 3.3 9.1 50.0 65.5 90.7 100
180. Grouchy 20.0 21.2 50.0 82.9 81.4 96.7
181. Grumpy 86.7 93.9 96.2 97.2 100 100
182. Guilty 23.3 60.6 96.2 91.5 100 100
183. Happy 96.7 100 96.2 98.6 100 98.4
184. Harsh 6.7 6.1 65.4 81.7 97.7 96.7
185. Hassled 6.7 42.4 72.0 85.7 95.3 96.7
186. Hate 93.3 100 96.2 98.6 100 100
187. Heartache 13.3 24.2 46.2 73.2 97.7 100
188. Heartbroken 20.0 54.5 65.4 95.8 100 98.4
189. Heated 20.0 30.3 73.1 74.6 95.3 100
190. Helpful 90.0 97.0 100 100 100 96.8
191. Helpless 13.3 45.5 80.8 97.1 97.7 93.5
192. Hollow 0.0 9.1 38.5 76.1 83.7 95.2
193. Homesick 30.0 33.3 76.9 95.8 100 95.2
194. Hopeful 30.0 57.6 88.5 97.2 100 98.4
195. Hopeless 23.3 48.5 88.5 90.1 97.7 100
196. Horrified 36.7 51.5 92.3 91.5 100 100
197. Humiliated 3.3 9.1 50.0 82.6 88.4 96.8
198. Humored 0.0 9.1 23.1 72.5 90.7 100
199. Hurried 46.7 69.7 92.3 91.5 97.7 98.4
200. Hurt 80.0 97.0 96.2 93.0 100 98.4
201. Ignored 66.7 81.8 96.2 94.4 97.6 96.7
202. Impatient 43.3 60.6 100 90.1 92.9 95.2
203. Impressed 46.7 69.7 88.5 91.5 95.2 96.8
204. Injured 60.0 87.9 96.2 88.7 97.6 98.4
205. Innocent 23.3 33.3 76.9 88.6 90.5 96.8
206. Inspired 0.0 6.1 57.7 79.7 85.4 96.8
207. Insulted 6.9 21.2 69.2 87.3 90.5 96.8
208. Insulting 6.7 12.1 73.1 87.3 95.2 98.4
209. Interested 73.3 87.9 100 91.5 92.9 98.4
210. Involved 26.7 63.6 96.2 88.7 93.0 98.4
211. Irritated 23.3 60.6 92.3 81.7 86.0 96.8
212. Jealous 46.7 75.8 80.8 92.9 96.6 100
213. Joking 96.7 93.9 96.2 95.8 98.9 100
214. Jolly 60.0 75.8 96.2 97.2 93.1 100
215. Joy 60.0 78.8 92.3 97.1 96.5 100
216. Judging 10.0 30.3 69.2 77.5 72.4 100
217. Jumpy 20.0 39.4 64.0 88.7 88.5 100
218. Keen 36.7 69.7 96.2 93.0 93.1 100
219. Kind 96.7 97.0 100 97.2 97.7 100
220. Knowing 40.0 57.6 88.5 90.1 96.6 100
221. Liked 73.3 90.9 100 94.4 100 100
222. Listening 83.3 97.0 100 95.8 100 100
223. Lively 30.0 63.6 100 93.0 89.7 100
224. Lonely 83.3 90.9 96.2 95.7 96.6 100
225. Longing 6.9 23.5 50.0 79.7 70.1 95.0
226. Lost 83.3 91.2 92.3 94.3 100 100
227. Love 96.7 100 96.2 98.6 98.9 100
228. Lovesick 13.8 17.6 50.0 81.4 80.2 85.0
229. Low 23.3 64.7 76.9 87.1 87.4 100
230. Loyal 3.4 14.7 69.2 78.6 82.8 95.0
231. Lying 90.0 94.1 100 98.6 97.7 100
232. Mean 73.3 88.2 100 95.7 97.7 100
233. Merry 41.4 50.0 88.5 91.3 94.3 100
234. Mischievous 34.5 35.3 80.8 82.6 73.6 81.0
235. Miserable 70.0 91.2 92.3 91.2 85.1 100
236. Misjudged 3.3 8.8 65.4 75.4 77.0 81.0
237. Mistreated 10.3 38.2 80.8 82.4 82.8 90.5
238. Misunderstood 16.7 47.1 84.6 83.8 87.4 95.2
239. Mocking 3.3 0.0 28.0 64.7 62.1 76.2
240. Modest 0.0 0.0 20.0 64.7 72.4 81.0
241. Moody 63.3 85.3 88.5 97.1 96.6 100
242. Moved 13.8 32.4 61.5 83.8 95.4 95.2
243. Murderous 10.0 23.5 50.0 75.8 72.4 71.4
244. Mystified 0.0 0.0 38.5 68.7 63.2 71.4
245. Nasty 89.7 100 96.2 98.5 97.7 100
246. Needed 46.7 76.5 92.3 92.6 96.6 100
247. Needy 3.4 26.5 46.2 73.5 85.1 95.0
248. Neglected 3.3 5.9 64.0 69.6 72.4 100
249. Nervous 50.0 79.4 96.2 94.2 93.1 100
250. Nosy 56.7 91.2 96.2 97.1 95.4 95.2
251. Numb 3.3 32.4 65.4 84.1 86.2 85.7
252. Obsessed 0.0 11.8 57.7 81.2 89.7 100
253. Offended 6.7 11.8 53.8 85.5 86.2 95.2
254. Outgoing 13.3 14.7 53.8 77.6 82.8 90.5
255. Outraged 3.3 11.8 52.0 83.8 79.3 100
256. Overcome 3.3 11.8 50.0 76.8 83.9 90.5
257. Overjoyed 16.7 47.1 80.8 95.7 86.2 95.2
258. Overpowered 0.0 8.8 50.0 72.5 78.2 90.5
259. Overpowering 0.0 8.8 48.0 72.5 77.0 85.7
260. Overwhelmed 0.0 5.9 48.0 75.4 71.3 90.5
261. Panic 50.0 85.3 92.3 87.5 92.3 100
262. Peaceful 63.3 88.2 92.3 90.5 92.3 95.2
263. Pity 16.7 32.4 88.5 76.6 78.5 95.0
264. Playful 73.3 79.4 88.5 93.8 95.4 100
265. Pleased 96.7 97.1 100 90.5 98.5 100
266. Pleasure 46.7 58.8 88.5 85.7 93.8 100
267. Protective 16.7 47.1 100 85.9 83.1 95.2
268. Proud 53.3 82.4 96.2 90.6 92.3 100
269. Puzzled 33.3 61.8 92.3 87.5 90.8 100
270. Questioning 26.7 52.9 84.6 82.8 84.6 90.5
271. Regret 3.3 26.5 69.2 85.9 81.3 95.2
272. Rejected 3.3 21.2 73.1 84.1 90.6 100
273. Relaxed 63.3 82.4 92.3 85.9 92.2 100
274. Relief 6.7 38.2 80.8 82.5 93.8 95.2
275. Respect 10.0 38.2 88.5 81.0 92.2 100
276. Responsible 30.0 67.6 92.3 82.5 90.6 100
277. Restless 13.3 29.4 76.9 82.8 84.4 95.2
278. Sad 100 100 100 98.4 100 100
279. Safe 80.0 82.4 100 95.3 98.4 100
280. Satisfied 16.7 32.4 80.8 82.3 84.1 100
281. Scared 93.3 100 100 93.8 95.2 100
282. Secure 13.3 41.2 80.8 76.6 77.8 100
283. Sensitive 13.3 38.2 80.8 85.9 82.5 100
284. Serious 56.7 67.6 96.2 85.7 93.4 100
285. Settled 23.3 67.6 84.6 79.4 87.3 100
286. Shaken 20.0 38.2 76.9 79.4 90.5 95.2
287. Shocked 40.0 76.5 88.5 90.6 92.1 100
288. Shy 80.0 94.1 96.2 93.8 95.2 100
289. Sickened 3.3 11.8 53.8 73.4 84.1 95.2
290. Sneaky 30.0 58.8 80.8 81.3 85.7 95.2
291. Sorry 100 100 100 82.8 84.1 90.5
292. Spiteful 36.7 58.8 69.2 79.7 81.0 85.7
293. Startled 6.7 29.4 53.8 73.4 73.0 95.2
294. Stupid 80.0 94.1 100 84.4 96.8 100
295. Sulky 40.0 76.5 80.8 81.3 85.5 90.5
296. Sure 60.0 70.6 92.3 90.6 93.5 100
297. Surprised 80.0 94.1 92.3 92.2 90.3 95.2
298. Tearful 83.3 82.4 92.3 82.8 90.3 95.2
299. Teasing 80.0 79.4 92.3 87.5 91.9 95.2
300. Tempted 6.7 35.3 80.8 78.1 91.9 95.2
301. Tender 6.7 20.6 73.1 67.2 79.0 90.5
302. Tense 6.7 14.7 61.5 71.9 85.5 95.2
303. Terrified 46.7 82.4 88.5 85.9 91.9 95.2
304. Terror 43.3 55.9 80.0 81.3 93.5 100
305. Thankful 60.0 85.3 92.3 92.2 95.2 95.2
306. Thinking 76.7 88.2 96.2 90.6 98.4 95.2
307. Thoughtful 43.3 61.8 88.5 87.5 96.7 95.2
308. Threatened 10.0 44.1 76.9 87.5 91.9 100
309. Threatening 13.3 41.2 84.6 85.9 91.9 95.2
310. Thrilled 6.7 61.8 80.8 84.4 90.3 95.2
311. Touched 40.0 67.6 88.5 78.1 88.5 100
312. Trapped 46.7 67.6 88.5 85.9 88.7 100
313. Troubled 30.0 50.0 80.8 81.3 90.3 100
314. Trusting 53.3 73.5 88.5 88.9 88.7 100
315. Uncaring 33.3 64.7 88.5 84.4 79.0 90.0
316. Uncertain 10.0 32.4 84.6 84.4 87.1 100
317. Uncomfortable 50.0 70.6 96.2 85.9 88.7 100
318. Understanding 40.0 70.6 100 87.1 93.5 100
319. Unfriendly 66.7 79.4 92.3 87.1 90.3 100
320. Unhappy 93.3 97.1 96.2 93.5 95.2 100
321. Unsure 36.7 67.6 96.2 89.8 90.3 95.0
322. Upset 83.3 97.1 100 96.6 96.8 100
323. Uptight 3.3 11.8 50.0 62.7 75.8 85.0
324. Useless 36.7 73.5 92.3 89.8 91.9 100
325. Vain 6.7 14.7 42.3 65.5 69.4 90.0
326. Wanted 50.0 64.7 84.6 82.8 93.5 100
327. Warm 66.7 64.7 92.3 90.0 96.8 100
328. Watchful 13.3 32.4 73.1 75.0 93.5 100
329. Weary 10.0 26.5 57.7 68.3 83.9 95.0
330. Weepy 30.0 47.1 76.9 78.3 87.1 95.0
331. Whining 46.7 70.6 84.6 81.0 79.0 90.0
332. Wishful 23.3 61.8 73.1 80.0 95.2 100
333. Wonder 43.3 55.9 88.5 88.3 95.2 100
334. Wondering 33.3 55.9 84.6 86.7 90.3 100
335. Worried 76.7 82.4 100 93.3 96.8 100
336. Worthless 10.0 23.5 65.4 78.3 95.2 100