Emotions are Recognized Patterns of Cognitive Operations in Closed Control Loops

Yue Jin

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arXiv · 2509.16232

Emotions are Recognized Patterns of Cognitive Operations in Closed Control Loops

Yue Jin

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Abstract

Emotions play a crucial role in human life. The research community has proposed many theories of emotions without reaching consensus. Artificial Intelligence research uses emotion theories in the construction of artificial minds. It can also bring fresh perspective to emotion theories. Based on my observations on Soar cognitive architecture, I propose in this paper that the mind pursues goals with closed control loops and emotions are recognized patterns of cognitive operations in the control loops. The mind uses these operations to detect and eliminate the deviations between the targets of its goals and the outcomes of its actions. I map the patterns of cognitive operations to emotions. I present different complexities in the control loops. I show how my theory connects to existing theories and goes beyond them. I provide my answers to the five questions of emotion psychology. I show how psychological problems may arise when the mind fails to adapt the control loops. My theory advances the building of a more accurate theory of emotions that deepens the understanding of human minds and accelerates the construction of artificial minds.

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Yue Jin. 2026-09-12. Emotions are Recognized Patterns of Cognitive Operations in Closed Control Loops. https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.16232

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