The Role of Positive Emotions in Positive Psychology The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions

• Published in: The American psychologist Vol. 56; no. 3; pp. 218 - 226
• Main Author: Fredrickson, Barbara L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Psychological Association 01-03-2001
• Subjects: Academic discipline; Affect; Emotional Adjustment; Emotions; Happiness; Human; Humans; Joy; Positive Attitudes; Positive Emotions; Positive Psychology; Positivism; Psychological Patterns; Psychological Theory; Psychology; Theories; Theory; Well-being
• ISSN: 0003-066X; 1935-990X
• DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218

In this article, the author describes a new theoretical perspective on positive emotions and situates this new perspective within the emerging field of positive psychology. The broaden-and-build theory posits that experiences of positive emotions broaden people's momentary thought-action repertoires, which in turn serves to build their enduring personal resources, ranging from physical and intellectual resources to social and psychological resources. Preliminary empirical evidence supporting the broaden-and-build theory is reviewed, and open empirical questions that remain to be tested are identified. The theory and findings suggest that the capacity to experience positive emotions may be a fundamental human strength central to the study of human flourishing.