Which of the following is NOT considered a universal emotion?

The choice of excitement as not being a universal emotion is supported by the understanding of emotions categorized in psychological research. Universal emotions are typically those that are recognized and expressed similarly across different cultures and societies, often identified by distinct facial expressions and behavioral responses. These include fear, anger, and joy, all of which have been widely studied and are found to appear consistently in various cultural contexts.

Excitement, on the other hand, is more context-specific and less universally recognized. It may arise from specific situations, personal experiences, or cultural factors that shape how it is expressed and interpreted. While people can certainly experience excitement, it may not evoke the same universally understood response or facial expression across different cultures. This lack of universality differentiates it from the other emotions listed in the question.