What Good are Positive Emotions?

Dr. Barbara Fredrickson's Broaden-and-Build Theory

is a psychological theory focused on the role of positive emotions in human development and well-being. The theory suggests that positive emotions (like joy, gratitude, and love) serve two primary functions:

Broaden: Positive emotions broaden an individual's thought-action repertoire, meaning they expand the range of thoughts and behaviors that a person is likely to consider or engage in. For example, when people feel joy, they become more creative, open to new experiences, and willing to explore their environment.
Build: Over time, these broadened mindsets and behaviors help individuals build enduring personal resources, such as social connections, resilience, problem-solving skills, and even physical health. These resources can be drawn upon in future situations, especially during times of stress or challenge.

In contrast, negative emotions (like fear and anger) tend to narrow focus, as these emotions are associated with survival mechanisms (e.g., fight or flight responses). The Broaden-and-Build Theory helps explain how experiencing positive emotions can contribute to long-term psychological growth, improved well-being, and better coping mechanisms in the face of adversity. It highlights the adaptive significance of positive emotions, not just as fleeting states, but as experiences that foster personal development over time.

Backed by Research

One of Dr. Barbara Fredrickson's key studies that supports her Broaden-and-Build Theory is her 2000 study titled “Cultivating Positive Emotions to Optimize Health and Well-Being.” In this study, Fredrickson and her team examined the effects of positive emotions on people's cognitive processes and overall well-being.

Study Overview:

The researchers conducted experiments in which participants were induced to experience specific positive emotions (like joy or contentment) or negative emotions (like fear or anger) by watching short video clips. Afterward, they measured the participants’ cognitive breadth using tasks like the "global-local visual processing task," which assesses whether people have a broad or narrow attentional focus.

Key Findings:

Positive Emotions Broaden Thinking: Participants who experienced positive emotions exhibited a broader scope of attention and thinking compared to those who experienced negative emotions or neutral states. For example, participants in a positive emotional state were more likely to see the "big picture" rather than focusing on minute details in cognitive tasks. This provided evidence that positive emotions can expand one's cognitive repertoire, consistent with the broaden aspect of the theory.
Building Resources Over Time: Another key element in her research is the suggestion that positive emotions help individuals accumulate lasting personal resources over time. Although this study mainly focused on the immediate broadening effect of positive emotions, it laid the groundwork for further research showing how such expanded thinking can lead to greater creativity, stronger social bonds, and improved resilience — key resources built over time.

This study and others like it defend Fredrickson's hypothesis that positive emotions have unique, long-term benefits by widening cognitive perspectives and fostering the building of psychological, social, and even physical resources.