Two prominent perspectives on emotions are central to their role as predictors in social science research. The first, often referred to as the "intuitive" or "biological" approach, conceptualizes emotions as fast, immediate, and automatic biological responses (Arnold, 1969). In contrast, the cognitive appraisals perspective posits that emotional reactions are slow-cooked responses, contingent upon individuals' values and predispositions (Lazarus, 1991). Despite the growing integration of emotional indicators in surveys and political behavior studies, there is a notable absence of reflections and empirical efforts oriented to clarify the nature of emotion employed in this context. This shortcoming implies a potential lack of precision in measuring emotions, which could jeopardize theoretical explanations and limit the effectiveness of resources like surveys. This chapter aims to address this gap by examining the stability and immediacy of political emotions. We argue that comprehending whether emotions are stable and immediate is crucial for advancing the current literature on the role of emotions in political behavior. A discovery aligning with the cognitive appraisal models, indicating that emotions are not strictly immediate and unconscious responses, would challenge the centrality of emotions in political behavior, as proposed by affective intelligence theory. Conversely, it suggests that emotions may function as mere mediators, and their omission could enhance the simplicity of our models and measurement tools. Building on previous research on response latency in surveys, emotional responses, and measurement, our methodology involves a comprehensive analysis using multiple waves of a Spanish panel. Through a series of questions targeting emotions towards diverse political objects, we aim to evaluate the immediacy and stability of these emotional responses. Additionally, we seek to explore the effects of stability and immediacy on the predictive power of these emotions for various political behavior outcomes. In conclusion, this chapter provides a substantial contribution to the literature on political emotions by shedding light on neglected trends that speak to their nature and actual role in public opinion and political behavior studies. The implications of our findings extend to both theoretical advancements and practical considerations for future research in the dynamic field of political behavior.