The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotion
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson has taught us about positive emotion and the Broaden and Build Theory. Positive emotion can undo the effects of negative emotion and broaden. This is partly the mechanism in which there is benefit for the body, such as in the cardiovascular system. As positive emotion is considered expansive, it broadens and builds. This leads to greater psychological well-being and a more resourceful and resilient mode. Stress, inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines are linked to negative emotion. Dr. Black and Slavich, researchers at UCLA, have researched stress, negative emotion and the body’s reactions. This is why meditation practice, stress reduction, mindful self-acceptance, and loving-kindness practice are all activities that not only reduce levels of stress and negative thinking but also affect emotion and increase psychological well-being. This leads to a reduction in inflammation, and effects of inflammation. As positive affect becomes greater, individuals develop more resilience. Positive emotion and affect help individuals to be able to buffer stressful events. This helps to create a psychological resource of resilience. Individuals are more able to recover from negative events especially when positive emotion broadens. The Broaden and Build Theory ascertains that when an individual experiences positive emotion it actually broadens their thought repertoire, they become more flexible minded and have a wider perception of ideas and actions. This in turn leads to increased resources for the individual, fostering resilience and possibly physical health. As a result upward spirals of well-being are noticed and help to play a role in obstructing negative emotions and feelings of threat.
How can you build positive emotion in your life? Appreciate things and sit back and enjoy a positive thought for 5 minutes each day. Soon, those little minutes of thoughts will build upon one another.