Final answer:
In a traffic jam, the emotion most likely experienced is anger, a universal emotion triggered by the conflict between one's expectations and the actual situation. Anger arises from being stuck in a situation that differs from the expected smooth ride home. Option d is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When caught in a traffic jam after a long day of work, the most likely emotion to be experienced is anger. This is because the traffic jam could cause frustration, which arises from the conflict between what one expects (a smooth ride home) and the reality (being stuck in traffic). The key here lies in understanding the nature of emotions and how situations trigger them. Daily commutes can contribute to feelings of everyday stress, as highlighted in Figure 14.13, whether it's on the road or via public transportation.
From the other information provided, such as the seven universal emotions which include contempt, disgust, and anger, we can deduct that melancholy (C) is not one of these seven emotions, according to Figure 10.24. This suggests that universal emotions are reactions to environmental stimuli, and in the case of the traffic jam scenario, anger is the most immediate. Emotions can be instantaneous, like the fear in response to a surprise event or the anger when expectations are not met, as seen in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing or in the more mundane context of road frustrations. This aligns with the idea that a person might initially drive fast due to anger over an event like leaving a party, but then slow down as they regain composure, illustrating variable emotional responses over time.
Additionally, the Introduction's depiction of a busy city corner sets the stage for understanding how various external inputs can lead to diverse emotional outcomes. The reality versus expectation model of frustration suggests that adapting our expectations can play a role in mitigating negative emotions, tying back to the emphasis on anger as a response to being stuck in traffic, which is a deviation from what one would have hoped for after work.