The Science of Emotions is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Barbara Fredrickson, Director Positive Emotions & Psychology Laboratory at UNC Chapel Hill. Why do we smile, laugh and actively seek out personal connections with the people around us? Why does it feel good and what evolutionary purposes do our so-called “positive emotions” serve?
Topics covered by this extensive conversation include Barbara’s groundbreaking work on the science of positive emotions, including her broaden-and-build theory, the undoing effect and upward spirals, while highlighting relevant evolutionary-driven hypotheses together with measurement details of empirical studies.
This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Only Connect, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:
- Psychological Beginnings – Towards social psychology
- Emotions, Scientifically – From endings to moments of intensity
- Positive vs. Negative Emotions – Evolutionary conundrums
- Positive Psychology Emerges – Examining human flourishing
- Broaden and Build – A thesis emerges
- Emotional Measurement – Searching for objective criteria
- The Undoing Effect – A side benefit of positive emotions
- Taking Charge – Cultivating positive emotional states
- Responses – The perks and perils of relevance
- Personal Flourishing – Bringing it home
- Leveraging Positively – Generating upwards spirals
Available in electronic format on all major booksellers, including
The Science of Emotions is also part of the five-part Ideas Roadshow Collection, Conversations About Social Psychology, which is available in both paperback and electronic format.
Barbara Fredrickson is also featured in 4 Ideas Roadshow documentary-style films together with several other renowned researchers. Available on Ideas Roadshow digital resource platforms, Kanopy & Boclips.
