1. The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions Fredrickson (2004)

2. Outline Broaden-and-build theory: positive emotions broaden an individuals momentary thought-action repertoire Broaden-and-build theory: positive emotions broaden an individuals momentary thought-action repertoire –E.g. joy sparks the urge to play Consequences of broadened mind sets; promote discovery of novel and creative actions, ideas and social bonds  individual personal resources Consequences of broadened mind sets; promote discovery of novel and creative actions, ideas and social bonds  individual personal resources –E.g. physical, intellectual, psychological and social resources Produce optimal functioning over the long term Produce optimal functioning over the long term

3. History of positive emotion research Emphasis has been on negative emotions Emphasis has been on negative emotions Emotions are confused with related states Emotions are confused with related states –E.g. sensory pleasure & positive mood –Emotions require cognitive appraisal & are about a personally meaningful circumstance Positive emotions have been identified as facilitating approach behaviour Positive emotions have been identified as facilitating approach behaviour –Evolutionarily adaptive

4. Broaden-and-build theory An alternative model for positive emotions that better captures their unique effects An alternative model for positive emotions that better captures their unique effects “positive emotions appears to broaden peoples’ momentary thought-action repertoires and build their enduring personal resources” (Fredrickson,1998,2001) “positive emotions appears to broaden peoples’ momentary thought-action repertoires and build their enduring personal resources” (Fredrickson,1998,2001) Specific action tendencies: the outcome of a psychological process, calling to mind an urge to act in a particular way Specific action tendencies: the outcome of a psychological process, calling to mind an urge to act in a particular way –E.g. in a life threatening situation –Work well to describe negative emotions, however, positive emotions seldom occur in life threatening situations, instead they have a complementary effect

5. Broaden-and Build Theory “ broadened mindsets carry indirect and long- term adaptive benefits because broadening builds enduring personal resources” “ broadened mindsets carry indirect and long- term adaptive benefits because broadening builds enduring personal resources” –E.g. Juvenile play – builds enduring social and physical resources, social bonds, attachments & intellectual resources by increasing creativity

6. Broaden-and Build Theory Personal resources accrued during states of positive emotions are durable they outlast the transient emotional states that led to their acquisition Personal resources accrued during states of positive emotions are durable they outlast the transient emotional states that led to their acquisition Experiencing positive emotions then allows people to transform themselves by becoming more creative, knowledgeable, resilient, socially integrated & healthy Experiencing positive emotions then allows people to transform themselves by becoming more creative, knowledgeable, resilient, socially integrated & healthy

7. Current Research Findings Positive emotions… Positive emotions… Broaden thought-action repertoires Broaden thought-action repertoires –Positive emotions widen the array of thoughts & actions Undo lingering negative emotions Undo lingering negative emotions –Joy/contentment undo effects of negative emotions

8. Current Research Findings Fuel psychological resiliency Fuel psychological resiliency -resilient individuals “bounce back” from situations. Build personal resources Build personal resources -positive emotions augment enduring coping responses, Fuel psychological and physical well-being Fuel psychological and physical well-being -positive meaning and emotions are reciprocal building emotional well-being.

9. Complex Dynamics triggered by positive emotions Traditional perspectives suggest positive emotions mark health. (e.g. Diener 2000) Traditional perspectives suggest positive emotions mark health. (e.g. Diener 2000) The broaden- and build theory suggests positive emotions also produce health and well-being. The broaden- and build theory suggests positive emotions also produce health and well-being. In short positive emotions fuel human flourishing. In short positive emotions fuel human flourishing. How much positivity is needed to flourish? How much positivity is needed to flourish? - Losada’s mathematical model: the ratio of positivity to negativity. - Later developed Fredrickson and Losada identified the positivity ratio at which the dynamical structure bifurcates between the a limit cycle of languishing and the complex dynamics of flourishing.

10. Conclusion Positive emotions are an essential topic within the science of well-being, they… Positive emotions are an essential topic within the science of well-being, they… –Produce health, well-being and fuel human flourishing –Broaden people’s attention and thinking –Undo lingering resilience –Build consequential personal resources –Trigger upward spirals towards greater well-being in the future The broaden-and-build theory conveys how positive emotions move people forward and lift them to the higher ground of optimal well-being. The broaden-and-build theory conveys how positive emotions move people forward and lift them to the higher ground of optimal well-being.