Join with a free account for more service, or become a member for full access to exclusives and extra support of WorldSupporter >>
In the current study the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions is reviewed. This theory is based on the genesis of positive psychology. Empirical and theoretical advancements are made in the understanding of upward spirals that are associated with positive emotions. Furthermore, the upward spiral theory of lifestyle change is explained. Deeper end more rigorous tests should be done to see reciprocal and prospective relations with positive emotions. This research can help translating theory into applications to improve health and well-being.
What was the objective of the study?
The broaden-and-build theory of emotions describes that momentary experiences of everyday positive emotions extend people’s awareness so that they contribute to overall well-being. Positive emotions broaden the mind and feed the growing of resources. The long-term effects of mild -and everyday positive emotions was further investigated in the current study by reviewing the following hypothesis:
Positive affect will predict improvements in broad-minded coping with a strategy solely related to creative responding.
Positive (not negative) affect will be improved after broad-minded coping.
In five weeks, the primary positive affect will cause an increase in broad-minded coping.
Also, broad-minded coping will cause an increase of positive affect.
The last two hypothesis illustrate the dynamic and upward spiral.
What was found in the study?
There were 138 participants in the study who completed a survey. The data collection provided support for all hypothesis. Another study of 185 participants re-confirmed these findings. The goal was to replicate findings to support the broaden-and-build theory (Fredrickson & Joiner, 2002). It was demonstrated that positive emotions initiate a spiral that has a positive impact on people’s future emotions. Further research found the effects of positive emotions training can increase over time, which is consistent with the dynamics of upward spirals.
How did research on positive psychology emerge?
The study of positive emotions is relatively new, as they only focused on the effects of negative emotions such as fear, sadness and anger in the past. For this reason, the broaden-and-build theory received a great amount of attention. The article by Fredrickson & Joiner has been cited many times, of which some turn out to be strong scientific contributions.
Some evidence for upward spiral dynamics was researched by Keyes (2005) and Krueger, Schkade, Schwarz and Stone (2004). They found that the presence of positive emotions, the lack of mental illness caused an increase in positive behaviours such as helping, playing and learning. It also predicted future increases in flourishing of positive emotions. Other research shows that emotion regulation strategies are affected by positive emotions. The team of Fredrickson also identified biological resources that influence or are influenced by positive emotions. The upward spiral theory of lifestyle change was tested as framework to understand the processes through which positive emotions influence health. Furthermore, the incentive salience theory of addiction shows that associations are formed between pleasantness and predictive cues of it called incentive salience.
How does the upward spiral model of positive emotions work?
The inner loop of the spiral model contains nonconscious motives that operate as a central mechanism for behaviour maintenance. Positive emotions affect health behaviours because of the salience of cues associated with these behaviours. Thus, a cascade of unconscious processes involved in producing positive emotions might orient individuals to redo previously enjoyed behaviours. The outer loop of the model represents the claim, based on the broaden-and-build theory that positive affect creates resources that moderate the inner loop processes. It means that vantage resources predict an increase in enjoyment of positive health behaviours.
What should be done in further research?
The reciprocal relations associated with positive emotions have been researched, but more development is needed. Causal pathways should be tested by controlled lab experiments and randomized controlled trials to find ways to create interventions to promote lifestyle changes. Larger samples and more frequent measures are now available and should be used to set motion in discovering resources people use in the upward spiral processes that improve health and well-being.
Study guide with Positive psychology, stress and health: the best scientific articles summarized
Study guide with articles for Positive psychology, stress and health
Summaries and study assistance with Positive psychology, stress and health
- for 20+ summaries with articles regarding positive psychology, emotional well-being, health psychology and stress, see the supporting content of this study guide
Related summaries and study assistance
- Articles with clinical and health psychology: Study guide with articles for Clinical and health psychology
- Articles with human behavior and psychology: see Study guide with articles for Psychology
- Psychological study books and standard works: see Psychology worldwide: learn, study or share - starting page
Psychology and behavorial sciences - Theme
Summaries, study notes, internships, tips and tools for study and work in psychology and behavorial sciences
- 1 of 2152
- next ›
JoHo can really use your help! Check out the various student jobs here that match your studies, improve your competencies, strengthen your CV and contribute to a more tolerant world
Online access to all summaries, study notes en practice exams
- Check out: Register with JoHo WorldSupporter: starting page (EN)
- Check out: Aanmelden bij JoHo WorldSupporter - startpagina (NL)
How and why would you use WorldSupporter.org for your summaries and study assistance?
- For free use of many of the summaries and study aids provided or collected by your fellow students.
- For free use of many of the lecture and study group notes, exam questions and practice questions.
- For use of all exclusive summaries and study assistance for those who are member with JoHo WorldSupporter with online access
- For compiling your own materials and contributions with relevant study help
- For sharing and finding relevant and interesting summaries, documents, notes, blogs, tips, videos, discussions, activities, recipes, side jobs and more.
Using and finding summaries, study notes en practice exams on JoHo WorldSupporter
There are several ways to navigate the large amount of summaries, study notes en practice exams on JoHo WorldSupporter.
- Use the menu above every page to go to one of the main starting pages
- Starting pages: for some fields of study and some university curricula editors have created (start) magazines where customised selections of summaries are put together to smoothen navigation. When you have found a magazine of your likings, add that page to your favorites so you can easily go to that starting point directly from your profile during future visits. Below you will find some start magazines per field of study
- Use the topics and taxonomy terms
- The topics and taxonomy of the study and working fields gives you insight in the amount of summaries that are tagged by authors on specific subjects. This type of navigation can help find summaries that you could have missed when just using the search tools. Tags are organised per field of study and per study institution. Note: not all content is tagged thoroughly, so when this approach doesn't give the results you were looking for, please check the search tool as back up
- Check or follow your (study) organizations:
- by checking or using your study organizations you are likely to discover all relevant study materials.
- this option is only available trough partner organizations
- Check or follow authors or other WorldSupporters
- by following individual users, authors you are likely to discover more relevant study materials.
- Use the Search tools
- 'Quick & Easy'- not very elegant but the fastest way to find a specific summary of a book or study assistance with a specific course or subject.
- The search tool is also available at the bottom of most pages
Do you want to share your summaries with JoHo WorldSupporter and its visitors?
- Check out: Why and how to add a WorldSupporter contributions
- JoHo members: JoHo WorldSupporter members can share content directly and have access to all content: Join JoHo and become a JoHo member
- Non-members: When you are not a member you do not have full access, but if you want to share your own content with others you can fill out the contact form
Quicklinks to fields of study for summaries and study assistance
Field of study
- All studies for summaries, study assistance and working fields
- Communication & Media sciences
- Corporate & Organizational Sciences
- Cultural Studies & Humanities
- Economy & Economical sciences
- Education & Pedagogic Sciences
- Health & Medical Sciences
- IT & Exact sciences
- Law & Justice
- Nature & Environmental Sciences
- Psychology & Behavioral Sciences
- Public Administration & Social Sciences
- Science & Research
- Technical Sciences
Add new contribution