Why do we smile, laugh and actively seek out personal connections with the people around us? Why does it feel good and what evolutionary purposes do our so-called "positive emotions" serve? This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Barbara Fredrickson, Director Positive Emotions & Psychology Laboratory at UNC Chapel Hill. Topics covered by this extensive conversation include Barbara's work on the science of positive emotions, including her broaden-and-build theory, the undoing effect and upward spirals, while highlighting relevant evolutionary-driven hypotheses together with measurement details of empirical studies.
This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Only Connect, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:
I. Psychological Beginnings - Towards social psychology Emotions, Scientifically - From endings to moments of intensity Positive vs. Negative Emotions - Evolutionary conundrums Positive Psychology Emerges - Examining human flourishing Broaden and Build - A thesis emerges Emotional Measurement - Searching for objective criteria The Undoing Effect - A side benefit of positive emotions Taking Charge - Cultivating positive emotional states Responses - The perks and perils of relevance Personal Flourishing - Bringing it home Leveraging Positively - Generating upwards spirals.
