Question

*MINIMUM 300 WORDS*

Discussion: The Value of Positive Emotions

Purpose: Connect and critique Fredrickson’s theory in personal experience.

1.List the four ways that positive emotions may help build personal resources and give an example of each from your own experience. That is, can you verify each of the four “building resources” effects of positive emotions in your experience?  

2. Can you think of a counter-example to her theory? That is, a negative effect of a positive emotion?

Answer 1

1.List the four ways that positive emotions may help build personal resources and give an example of each from your own experience.

That is, can you verify each of the four “building resources” effects of positive emotions in your experience?

• Fredrickson's theory was aimed at understanding how positive emotions help in survival.
• The theory states that these positive emotions do much more than cause us happiness.
• It states that more positive emotions we experience, more flexible and creative we in the way we work

• Ways in which positive emotions help us build personal resources
  • psychological resources –the development of resilience and optimism and of a greater sense of identity
    • I was teaching in low income school as a part of my fellowship. My school did not approve of a non-traditional methodology and assessments. We, my entire team, faced a lot of criticism on the edge of verbal abuse. The only thing that kept us going was the positive reactions we got from our grade 2 students. Their love and acceptance lead us to develop resilience and optimism that we could change the system.

• physical resources –improved strength, co-ordination and cardiovascular health
  • When I forget to carry my mp3 player to gym, I feel tired while doing the cardio - treadmill, cycling etc. When I am listening to music I like, I am more energetic while exercising.

• intellectual resources – enhanced problem-solving skills and a better ability to learn new information
  • When I am relaxed, I solve problems effectively. I tend to solve math problems more easily if I am playing a soothing song in the background.

• social resources – strengthening of existing bonds and new connections made
  • When I am happier, I am more cognizant of how I come across and in general, nicer to people. My temper does not shoot up easily and I tend to be more pleasant which helps me in making friends.

• Negative effect of a positive emotion?
  • There are studies stating that positive emotion as a lack of negative emotion can lead to emotional issues. It leads to risky behaviours.
    • For example. When you are super happy, you tend to buy things on an impulse. It may not be a good thing.