Core Emotion Framework (CEF): Core Essence Document

The Core Emotion Framework (CEF) is a canonical, architecture-level model that defines the 
foundational structure of human emotional processes. This document presents the minimal, formal 
specification of the CEF, suitable for citation as the authoritative reference for the framework. The 
CEF organizes ten core emotional processes into three functional centers—Head, Heart, and Gut—
establishing a systematic, hierarchical architecture for emotional regulation and psychological 
flourishing. The framework is presented with precise terminology, formal operator definitions, and 
explicit statements of directionality and scope. All language is refined for clarity, precision, and 
scholarly tone, in compliance with Zenodo metadata and licensing requirements. This document is 
intended as the definitive reference for the CEF model, excluding examples and commentary, and 
maintaining strict internal consistency across all sections. 

Keywords: Core Emotion Framework, CEF, emotional architecture, structural-constructivist model, 
emotional regulation, canonical model, Zenodo, minimal definition, Head-Heart-Gut, operators, 
directionality, formal specification