What role do positive emotions play in fostering individuals, communities and societies to flourish?
Psychologist Barbara Frederikson theorised that, on first consideration, the answer seems simple: Positive emotions serve as markers of flourishing, or optimal wellbeing – when we feel joy, interest, contentment, love and the like, we are not in that same moment plagued by negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, anger and despair.
Yet, there is more to the story: according to Frederickson’s Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions, positive emotions also produce flourishing and are worth cultivating, not just as end states in themselves, but also as a means to achieving psychological growth and improved wellbeing over time.
For further insight into Frederickson’s review of perspectives on emotions, affect and their respective functions, learn more here.
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