In the broaden and build model, how are individuals believed to build resources?
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The broaden–and–build theory describes the form and function of a subset of positive emotions, including joy, interest, contentment and love. A key proposition is that these positive emotions broaden an individual's momentary thought–action repertoire: joy sparks the urge to play, interest sparks the urge to explore, contentment sparks the urge to savour and integrate, and love sparks a recurring cycle of each of these urges within safe, close relationships. The broadened mindsets arising from these positive emotions are contrasted to the narrowed mindsets sparked by many negative emotions (i.e. specific action tendencies, such as attack or flee). A second key proposition concerns the consequences of these broadened mindsets: by broadening an individual's momentary thought–action repertoire—whether through play, exploration or similar activities—positive emotions promote discovery of novel and creative actions, ideas and social bonds, which in turn build that individual's personal resources; ranging from physical and intellectual resources, to social and psychological resources. Importantly, these resources function as reserves that can be drawn on later to improve the odds of successful coping and survival. This chapter reviews the latest empirical evidence supporting the broaden–and–build theory and draws out implications the theory holds for optimizing health and well–being. Show Previous Article Next ArticleVIEW FULL TEXT DOWNLOAD PDF
This Issue29 September 2004 Volume 359Issue 1449Discussion Meeting Issue ‘The science of well–being: integrating neurobiology, psychology and social science’ organized by F. A. Huppert, N. Baylis and B. Keverne How does the broadenThe 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.
What is Frederickson's broadenFredrickson's (1998) broaden-and-build theory suggests when. individuals imbue various personal resources with more positive affect, individuals are more likely able to develop greater resilient assets as a result.
What is the broadenThe Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions
At the crux of her theory, Fredrickson (1998) argues that while negative emotions narrow thought-action repertoires, positive emotions broaden these repertoires, enabling us to draw on a wide array of possible cognitions and behaviors in response to emotional stimuli.
Who builds broaden and theory?The theory was originally proposed by psychology professor Barbara Frederickson in the late 90's. Her work indicates that consistent choices that induce positive emotions tend to build up intellectual, social, and psychological resources.
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