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What good are positive emotions?

What good are positive emotions?
Review of General Psychology
Format: Journal Article
Publication Year: 1998
Pages: 300-319
Library/Archive: (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved
Sources ID: 22349
Visibility: Private
Abstract: (Show)

This article opens by noting that positive emotions do not fit existing models of emotions. Consequently, a new model is advanced to describe the form and function of a subset of positive emotions, including joy, interest, contentment, and love. This new model posits that these positive emotions serve to broaden an individual's momentary thought-action repertoire, which in turn has the effect of building that individual's physical, intellectual, and social resources. Empirical evidence to support this broaden-and-build model of positive emotions is reviewed, and implications for emotion regulation and health promotion are discussed.

Subjects: 
Psychology and Contemplation
Science and Contemplation
Contemplation by Applied Subject