Abnormality of mental function Abnormal affect Affect includes a combination of emotion in terms of feelings and its expression either in the verbal or behavioral (action) level. Normal expressions are often relatively short lived and familiar to the person while pathological expressions may be intense and extended and considered out of character for the individual. Affect encompasses: 1) emotions, 2) volition, and 3) what is termed the intellect or cognitive elements expressing (communicating) emotion and volition. Affect includes an internal feeling (emotion), an internal drive (will), and a motor component expression (typically speech, but also reflected in thoughts).