Emotions have helped humans evolve and survive by changing the way we
             react to and think about our environment. Positive and negative emotions
             create patterned responses in both individuals and in whole societies.
             Emotions can help people understand the world, including other human
             beings, better; they can also distort perceptions.
             Fear probably influences human evolution more than any other emotion.
             For example, early humans quickly learned that some large mammals posed
             direct threats to themselves and their families. By creating a "fight or
             flight" response, fear helped prehistoric peoples survive and thrive in the
             midst of natural threats and disasters. Fear also contributed in large part
             to the development of religion, as the contemplation of the universe
             induced a sense of awe and wonder at the universe. Unfortunately, the
             emotion of fear also created divisions between different tribes and ethnic
             groups. This expression of fear greatly influenced the way in which
             different peoples evolved and different cultures either flourished or died
             out. Most wars have been fought based on emotional responses, especially
             fear and anger. Anger, a natural response to situations that are
             unexpected, irritating, or potentially harmful, also helps human survive
             and evolve. Anger affects all interpersonal relationships and can cause
             rifts and strife among communities and cultures.
             However, love and attraction has had a similar effect on human
             evolution. Interracial marriages affect the evolution of humanity on
             biological and cultural levels. Mutual respect and admiration for foreign
             cultures and people has contributed to human evolution in the same way that
             fear and anger has. Love most obviously contributes to human survival by
             ensuring the continuation of the species, as males and females feel
             emotional and sexual attractions for one another. A wide range of human
             emotions, ma...