Resentment (also called ranklement or bitterness) is a complex, multilayered emotion that has been described as a mixture of disappointment, disgust, anger, and fear. Other psychologists consider it a mood or as a secondary emotion (including cognitive elements) that can be elicited in the face of insult and/or injury. Inherent in resentment is a perception of unfairness (i.e. from trivial to very serious), and a generalized defense against unfair situations.