Basic Emotions

Fundamental, first order emotions that are structurally and dynamically simpler (primarily due to a lack of cognitive influence) operating chiefly during early childhood (e.g. joy, fear). They develop earlier, constitute foundations for more complex or secondary emotions, emphasize survival, well-being, functional specificity and initiate fast, often automatic reactions. See also discrete emotions.

Our most primal emotions. Basic emotions serve as psychological response mechanisms to the immediate demands of our situation. They are evident from birth, shared among all human beings, and form the basis for complex or secondary emotions. The basic emotions are anger, fear, sadness, surprise, disgust, and joy. Some classifications also consider contempt to be a basic emotion.

Reference:

Izard, C. (2011). Forms and functions of Emotion: Matters of emotion-cognition Interactions. Emotion Review, 3(4), 371-378. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073911410737