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Broaden and Built Theory

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Ayesha Salam
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96 views2 pages

Broaden and Built Theory

Uploaded by

Ayesha Salam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Broaden-And-Build Theory

Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory provides a framework for understanding


how positive emotions expand our awareness, promote personal growth, and enhance long-
term well-being. Four ways how positive emotions broaden thought-action repertoires and
build enduring resources are:
1. Broaden Attention and Cognition
Positive emotions, such as joy, amusement, and interest, cause individuals to adopt a
broader, more flexible cognitive perspective. This allows them to escape from negative
emotions like fear or anxiety and instead open their minds to new possibilities. This makes
people are more creative, open-minded, and capable of integrating a wider range of ideas.
Example
A student working on a difficult math problem may feel stuck and frustrated.
However, after a refreshing break filled with laughter and fun with friends, they return to the
problem with a renewed sense of joy. This helps them to think more flexibly, and they begin
to see patterns or connections they hadn’t noticed before. This broader cognitive capacity
enables them to solve the problem more effectively, enhancing their creativity and problem-
solving skills.
2. Encourage Exploration and Novel Behaviors
Positive emotions like curiosity, enthusiasm, and excitement motivate individuals to
explore their environment, try new activities, and seek novel experiences. This exploratory
behavior leads to the acquisition of new skills, knowledge, and perspectives. Importantly, the
desire to explore is often driven by positive emotions because they make people feel safe and
secure, allowing them to venture outside their comfort zones.
Example
A person who feels a sense of excitement when they visit an art gallery for the first
time. This excitement encourages them to explore different styles of art and maybe even try
painting themselves.
3. Promote Social Connection and Strengthen Relationships
Positive emotions, such as love, gratitude, compassion, and joy, enhance social
interactions by fostering trust, cooperation, and emotional closeness. When people experience
positive emotions in social contexts, they are more likely to engage in behaviors that
strengthen relationships, such as helping others, expressing affection, or showing
appreciation. These behaviors build social networks and social capital, which provide
essential support systems during difficult times.
Example
A person feeling a deep sense of gratitude after receiving help from a coworker and
express their thanks with heartfelt words or a small gift. This gesture not only strengthens the
immediate relationship but may also lead to ongoing collaboration and support. Over time,
these acts build a network of strong social connections which becomes a valuable personal
resource, providing emotional and instrumental support during both good times and
challenging circumstances.
4. Increase Resilience and Build Coping Resources
Positive emotions foster resilience by helping people recover more quickly from
stress and adversity. When people experience joy, contentment, or hope in the face of
difficulties, these emotions help them reframe challenges in a more positive light, maintain
optimism, and find meaning in adversity. Over time, this builds psychological resources like
optimism, coping skills, and mental toughness.
Example
After facing a major setback at work, a person finds joy and contentment in spending
time with family and engaging in hobbies they love. These positive experiences help them
regain perspective, reducing their stress and allowing them to bounce back from the
disappointment more effectively. In the long run, by regularly engaging in activities that
promote positive emotions, they build psychological resilience, becoming better equipped to
handle future stress and challenges without feeling overwhelmed.
 Building Long-Term Resources
While the broaden-and-build theory emphasizes the momentary effects of positive emotions,
it also highlights how these temporary states contribute to the development of long-term
resources that enhance well-being. These resources are
 Cognitive resources (e.g., enhanced creativity, better problem-solving skills)
 Social resources (e.g., stronger relationships, expanded social networks)
 Physical resources (e.g., increased health through stress reduction)
 Psychological resources (e.g., resilience, optimism, sense of purpose)
Each time individuals experience positive emotions, they not only enjoy the
immediate benefits of broadened thinking and action, but they also accumulate resources that
contribute to their overall well-being and ability to thrive in the future. These resources, once
built, remain available even after the positive emotional states fade, creating an upward spiral
of growth and resilience.

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