Are you one of those people who lead with emotion instead of logic? Do you go through life doing things gung-ho, not thinking much about how they affect you and your future or even other people?

Maybe that’s not you but you’re just curious why and how people who act like that function. 

Either way, let’s see what subtle behaviors people who lead with emotion instead of logic often display. 

According to psychology, of course.

1) They’re easily influenced

Research says emotions can be contagious, spreading from person to person through verbal and nonverbal cues. 

When we’re surrounded by people with strong emotions, we can find ourselves “catching” those feelings and adopting them as our own without consciously evaluating if they reflect our genuine thoughts or feelings.

Okay, I’ll admit. I’ve been swayed by others’ opinions or emotions more times than I’d like to admit. In the past, I was like a sponge, soaking up whatever vibes were floating around.

Looking back, I realize how much I let other people’s perspectives shape my own without really stopping to think if they matched what I truly believed. 

2) They focus on feelings over facts

People lean towards emotions over logic because it’s what they’re used to or because emotions feel more immediate and familiar.

There’s also confirmation bias. It’s when we only pay attention to stuff that agrees with what we already think and ignore anything that doesn’t. 

So, if you’re into something, you tend to only notice the good stuff about it and brush off the bad. You basically have blinders on, only seeing what you want to see.

And, sure enough, there have been times when I’ve brushed off cold, hard facts just because they didn’t match how I was feeling at the moment. 

3) They react quickly

Impulse control? Yeah, that’s been a work in progress for me. Sometimes, I’ll make decisions on a whim without thinking about the consequences first.

And when people react quickly, like I often do, psychology suggests that it can stem from emotional arousal overriding the cognitive processing of the brain. 

This phenomenon is related to the concept of the “fight or flight” response, where our emotions trigger rapid responses to perceived threats or stimuli. 

4) They rely on their gut 

There have also been moments where I’ve followed my gut without giving much thought to the logic behind it. Sometimes, it pans out, but other times… not so much.

Trusting your gut is like having a little voice inside your head nudging you in a certain direction. It’s not something you can always explain logically, but it just feels right. 

This gut feeling comes from your brain processing tons of information without you even realizing it. 

Plus, your emotions play a big role, too – they send signals that help you make snap judgments about situations or people.

For example, ever met someone for the first time and instantly felt a connection or a sense of unease? 

Your gut feeling is telling you something about that person, even before you’ve had a chance to have a conversation.

Or, let’s say you’re trying to choose between two job offers. One seems great on paper, but something just doesn’t feel right about it. 

That’s your gut feeling signaling that there’s something off, even if you can’t quite put your finger on it.

5) They blame others

And, man, I used to be the king of pointing fingers when things went wrong. Instead of owning up to my part in things, I’d find someone or something else to pin the blame on.

I didn’t want to feel bad about myself or admit I messed up, so I’d find someone else to blame.

Psychologically, when people consistently blame others, it often serves to protect their self-esteem, maintain a sense of control, avoid negative emotions, and preserve relationships.

It’s like a psychological defense mechanism that helps them cope with challenges or failures by shifting responsibility away from themselves onto external factors or other people.

6) They make snap judgments

Making snap judgments is a common human behavior deeply rooted in cognitive psychology. It’s also something people who go with emotion instead of logic often do. 

When we make snap judgments, we’re essentially relying on mental shortcuts, or heuristics, to make decisions quickly without engaging in extensive cognitive processing.

I’ve definitely been guilty of sizing people up or jumping to conclusions based on first impressions or gut reactions. It’s not always fair, but emotions can be pretty convincing.

7) They seek validation

I’ll admit it – I’ve definitely been guilty of fishing for compliments or seeking reassurance from others to validate my feelings or decisions.

From a psychological perspective, this behavior can be rooted in various factors, including:

• Socialization
• Self-esteem
• Emotional regulation

This need for validation often comes from wanting to feel accepted and valued by others. When you’re not sure if you’re doing something right, you look around to see if anyone else thinks you’re on the right track. 

Getting that nod of approval can feel really reassuring.

8) They’re defensive

When people lead with emotion, they often get pretty defensive as well. Their emotions are driving them, and when someone questions their feelings or opinions, they take it personally. 

Instead of calmly considering different perspectives, they feel attacked and instinctively put up their guard.

Psychologically, this defensiveness can stem from a fear of criticism or a need to protect their self-image. 

They’re emotionally bracing themselves for a battle, even if the other person isn’t trying to start one. 

So, instead of engaging in a constructive conversation, they dig in their heels and lash out, all to shield themselves from feeling vulnerable.

9) They overreact

Let’s just say I’ve had my moments where a small setback felt like the end of the world, and my emotions hit the gas pedal while logic was still trying to find the brakes.

Basically, overreacting happens when emotions run wild and make everything seem way more intense than it actually is. It’s turning a little bump in the road into a full-blown emotional rollercoaster.

Sometimes, it’s because we’re super sensitive to stuff, so even the smallest thing sets off a huge reaction. 

Other times, we just want attention or sympathy, so we play up our emotions to get people’s attention.

Final thoughts

Looking back on these behaviors, it’s clear that emotions have definitely played a big role in my decision-making process. 

Still, I think that recognizing these patterns is the first step toward striking a better balance between heart and mind, right?

What are your experiences with emotion versus logic?