Role of Positive Emotions in Psychology
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What is it?
This paper proposes a new theory about the role of positive emotions in human flourishing, called the "broaden-and-build theory."
This theory suggests that positive emotions, such as joy, interest, and love, do more than just make us feel good in the moment.
They also broaden our thinking and action repertoires, allowing us to consider more possibilities and build important personal resources.
These resources, in turn, help us cope with challenges, improve our well-being, and ultimately flourish.
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What do I need to know?
By actively cultivating positive emotions, we can improve our mental and physical health, build stronger relationships, and live more fulfilling lives.
Positive emotions broaden our minds: Studies show that when people experience positive emotions, their thinking becomes more expansive, creative, and flexible. They are also more open to new information and better at integrating diverse ideas.
Positive emotions undo negative emotions: Positive emotions can help us recover from negative emotions more quickly by "undoing" the physiological and psychological effects of negativity. For example, positive emotions can help calm our heart rate and reduce stress after a challenging experience.
Positive emotions fuel resilience: People who are more resilient to stress tend to experience more positive emotions, even during difficult times. These positive emotions help them cope better and bounce back faster.
Positive emotions trigger upward spirals: Experiencing positive emotions can lead to a positive feedback loop, where positive emotions lead to broadened thinking, which leads to better coping and resilience, which in turn leads to more positive emotions in the future. This upward spiral can contribute to greater well-being over time.
Reference:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122271/pdf/nihms-305177.pdf