Question

Write in brief about the Broaden and Build theory.

Answer 1

1. According to Barbara Fredrickson’s Broaden and Build theory of positive emotions, we can think of positive emotions as being a way to be open to positive things in our life.
2. When we are happy or experience positive emotions, we tend to think more positive thoughts. This is reflected in our behaviours too. For example, being in a positive frame of mind, we want to be around people and socialise.
3. Thus we have effectively increased or built our social and psychological resources. When we experience a positive emotion it leads to broadening (increasing) the number of actions we can think of performing.
4. These actions help strengthen our psychological resources which improves our well-being. This is the way in which we can manage our emotions by trying to experience a greater number of positive emotions, which will increase and strengthen our psychological and social resources. This enables us to lead a more fulfilling life.