Full Idea
It has been suggested that there are seven 'basic' emotions, based on cross-cultural studies of facial expressions.
Gist of Idea
Cross-cultural studies of facial expressions suggests seven basic emotions
Source
Peter Goldie (The Emotions [2000], 4 'Evidence')
Book Reference
Goldie,Peter: 'The Emotions' [OUP 2002], p.89
A Reaction
[Paul Ekman is cited] This makes the idea of universal basic emotions much more plausible. Goldie respects the research, but is cautious about inferences, mainly because digging deeper (such as interviews) makes it more complex.