Positive Emotions: List, 90+ Examples, Theories, & TipsWhat are positive emotions, what are the theories behind positive emotions, and what are some examples of positive emotions? Get a list and learn all about positive emotions here.
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Positive emotions are one of the most enjoyable parts of being alive. But what exactly are positive emotions? What effect do they have on our lives? And how can we experience more of them? In this article, we'll dive into positive emotions to learn more about the theories behind positive emotions and the experience of specific positive emotions.
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List of Positive Emotions PDF
If you want this list as a word document or PDF, just download the files below.
| printable-list-of-positive-emotions.docx |
| printable-list-of-positive-emotions.pdf |
Printable List of Positive and Negative Emotions
And here is a downloadable list of positive and negative emotions.
| printable-list-of-emotions.docx |
| printable-list-of-emotions.pdf |
Positive Emotions in Psychology
Up until recently, research in psychology has mostly focused on negative emotions. That has made our understanding of positive emotions rather shallow or incomplete. For example, we think of negative emotions as discrete--sadness is different from anger is different from anxiety. But when it comes to positive emotions, we kind of lump them all together—joy, and contentment, and happiness are all kind of thought of as similar in our brains. Recently, however, psychology researchers have helped provide better clarity about the difference between positive emotions.
Barbara Fredrickson on positive emotions
Barbara Fredrickson, a leader of psychology research on positive emotion, offers us some insight into the differences between the key positive emotions of joy, interest, contentment, and love (Fredrickson, 1998).
Joy (~ happiness, amusement, exhilaration)
Joy arises in situations that are safe, familiar, and low effort. Experiencing joy is thought to result in a state referred to as 'free-activation'—or basically a readiness to engage in whatever comes—and it leads to a desire to play. As adults, playing may mean reading, using our imagination, or doing other creative activities. Joyful play can also help us build our social and emotional skills (Fredrickson, 1998).
Interest (~ curiosity, excitement, wonder, flow)
Interest arises in situations that offer novelty, change, and a sense of possibility. Interest also involves a sense that something is important and that we ought to pay attention and exert effort. Interest is thought to lead to exploration and the development of knowledge and personal growth (Fredrickson, 1998).
Contentment (~ tranquility, serenity, relief)
Contentment arises in safe situations with a high degree of certainty and a low degree of effort.
Some people suggest that contentment leads us to savor our circumstances and experience a sense of 'oneness' with the world. In other words, it results in a mindful broadening of a person's self-views and world views (Fredrickson, 1998).
Love (~romantic love, companionate love, caregiver love)
Barbara Fredrickson (1998) argues that love merges joy, interest, and contentment. More specifically, our loved ones stimulate experiences that lead to these other positive emotions. That means that love can lead us to be playful, to grow personally, and to broaden our worldview.
Barbara Fredrickson on positive emotions
Barbara Fredrickson, a leader of psychology research on positive emotion, offers us some insight into the differences between the key positive emotions of joy, interest, contentment, and love (Fredrickson, 1998).
Joy (~ happiness, amusement, exhilaration)
Joy arises in situations that are safe, familiar, and low effort. Experiencing joy is thought to result in a state referred to as 'free-activation'—or basically a readiness to engage in whatever comes—and it leads to a desire to play. As adults, playing may mean reading, using our imagination, or doing other creative activities. Joyful play can also help us build our social and emotional skills (Fredrickson, 1998).
Interest (~ curiosity, excitement, wonder, flow)
Interest arises in situations that offer novelty, change, and a sense of possibility. Interest also involves a sense that something is important and that we ought to pay attention and exert effort. Interest is thought to lead to exploration and the development of knowledge and personal growth (Fredrickson, 1998).
Contentment (~ tranquility, serenity, relief)
Contentment arises in safe situations with a high degree of certainty and a low degree of effort.
Some people suggest that contentment leads us to savor our circumstances and experience a sense of 'oneness' with the world. In other words, it results in a mindful broadening of a person's self-views and world views (Fredrickson, 1998).
Love (~romantic love, companionate love, caregiver love)
Barbara Fredrickson (1998) argues that love merges joy, interest, and contentment. More specifically, our loved ones stimulate experiences that lead to these other positive emotions. That means that love can lead us to be playful, to grow personally, and to broaden our worldview.
Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions
Based on Dr. Fredrickson's understanding of joy, interest, contentment, and love, she then proposed that positive emotions have something in common: They broaden our thoughts and actions and build personal, social, and intellectual resources. Over time, this may lead to an upward spiral of positive emotion. This theory is now known as the broaden and build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 1998).
This model is based on research that shows:
This model is based on research that shows:
- Positive emotions expand our attention.
- Positive emotions expand or broaden our thoughts (e.g., they help us think better).
- Positive emotions lead to a greater range of actions (e.g., we are open to taking a broader range of actions in a problem solving scenario).
- Positive emotions lead to greater physical resources (e.g., play can build our muscles and help us develop new physical abilities).
- Positive emotions lead to greater intellectual resources.
- Positive emotions lead to greater social resources.
Video: Barbara Fredrickson on Positive Emotions
20 Ways to Boost Positive Emotions
Given the many benefits of positive emotions, we're greatly benefited by finding ways to increase them. Luckily, there are so many different ways we can boost positive emotions. Here are a few strategies to try:
- Start a gratitude journal.
- Practice savoring the moment.
- Try deep breathing or mindfulness meditation.
- Build your positive reappraisal skills.
- Build your strengths.
- Focus on your positive qualities.
- Practice self-love.
- Pursue your long-term goals.
- Learn how to believe in yourself.
- Start manifesting your dreams.
- Cultivate peace of mind.
- Work on developing a flow state.
- Find things to be thankful for.
- Explore your core values.
- Build healthy relationships.
- Get a better understanding of who you are.
- Practice acceptance.
- Learn how to use positive affirmations.
- Boost your self-confidence.
- Practice kindness.
Positive Emotion Affirmations
If you're someone who likes to use affirmations, here are some affirmations to help you generate positive emotions:
Check out our article for even more positive daily affirmations.
- I am overflowing with happiness and joy.
- I can change my emotions by changing my thoughts.
- All of my feelings are valid and useful.
- I treat myself kindly and with compassion.
- I always try to see the bright side of things.
Check out our article for even more positive daily affirmations.
Positive Emotions Music
Here is some music that may help you generate some positive emotions, especially a sense of calm and contentment.
More Articles Related to Positive Emotions
Want to gain even more insights related to emotions? Here are a few helpful articles:
- Positive Psychology: Definition, Theories, and Examples
- Emotion: Definition, Theories, and List of Emotions
- Positivity: The Psychology, Definition, and Examples
- Positive Mindset: 17 Ways to Develop a Happier Mind
- Negative Emotions: List & 158 Examples (+ PDF)
- GABA: Definition, Benefits, & Function
- Serotonin: Definition, Function, & Boosters
Books on Positive Emotions
Want to read more? Here are some good books to choose from.
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References
- Fredrickson, B. L. (1998). What good are positive emotions? Review of general psychology, 2(3), 300-319.
- Fredrickson, B. L., & Cohn, M. A. (2008). Positive emotions. Handbook of Emotions. 3rd edition, Guilford Press. New York.
- Russell, J. A. (1980). A circumplex model of affect. Journal of personality and social psychology, 39(6), 1161.
- Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales. Journal of personality and social psychology, 54(6), 1063.
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