Positive affectivity
Encyclopedia
Positive Affect reflects the extent to which a person feels enthusiastic, active, and alert. High PA is a state of high energy, full concentration, and pleasurable engagement, whereas low PA is characterized by sadness
, lethargy, distress
, and un-pleasurable engagement.
Watson and Clark (1984)12 defined positive affectivity as reflecting pervasive individual differences in positive emotionality and self-concept
.
PA represents an affective state dimension. Tellegen (1985)11 has demonstrated that individuals differ in positive emotional reactivity. Trait PA roughly corresponds to the dominant personality factors of extraversion11,12.
Positive (and also negative affectivity) is generally considered to be fairly enduring trait characteristics of the individual that may influence their responses in general, and particularly their responses to questionnaires.
PA is an integral part of everyday life
. PA helps to process emotional information accurately and efficiently, to solve problems, make plans and achieve in ones life. However, the broaden-and-build theory of PA4,5 suggests that PA appears to broaden people’s momentary thought - action repertoires and build their enduring personal resources.
Research shows that PA relate to different classes of variables, such as social activity and the frequency of pleasant events1,2,12,13 . PA is also strongly related to life satisfaction7. The high energy and engagement, optimism
, and social interest characteristic of high-PA individuals suggest that they should be more likely to be satisfied with their life11,12. In fact, the content similarities between these affective traits and life satisfaction have led some researchers to view both PA/NA and life satisfaction as specific indicators of the broader construct of subjective well-being3.
PA may influence the relationships between variables in organizational research6,14.
PA increases attentional focus and behavioral repertoire and the enhanced personal resources can be used to overcome or deal distressing situation. These resources are physical (e.g., better health), social (e.g., social support
networks), intellectual and psychological (e.g., resilience, optimism and creativity).
PA provides a psychological break or respite from stress, supporting continuing efforts to replenish resources depleted by stress8,9.
Therefore, it is evident that PA is good for our health. Its buffering functions provide a useful antidote to the problem associated with negative emotions and ill health due to stress (Fredrickson, 2001). Likewise, happy people are better in coping. McCrae and Costa (1986)10 concluded that PA was associated with more mature coping efforts.
Sadness
Sadness is emotional pain associated with, or characterized by feelings of disadvantage, loss, despair, helplessness, sorrow, and rage. When sad, people often become outspoken, less energetic, and emotional...
, lethargy, distress
Distress
Distress may refer to:*Distress , occurring when an individual cannot adapt to stress*Suffering*Distress signal, an internationally recognized means for obtaining help...
, and un-pleasurable engagement.
Watson and Clark (1984)12 defined positive affectivity as reflecting pervasive individual differences in positive emotionality and self-concept
Self-concept
Self-concept is a multi-dimensional construct that refers to an individual's perception of "self" in relation to any number of characteristics, such as academics , gender roles and sexuality, racial identity, and many others. Each of these characteristics is a research domain Self-concept (also...
.
PA represents an affective state dimension. Tellegen (1985)11 has demonstrated that individuals differ in positive emotional reactivity. Trait PA roughly corresponds to the dominant personality factors of extraversion11,12.
Positive (and also negative affectivity) is generally considered to be fairly enduring trait characteristics of the individual that may influence their responses in general, and particularly their responses to questionnaires.
PA is an integral part of everyday life
Everyday Life
Everyday Life is the first solo album made by Life MC of the British Hip Hop group Phi Life Cypher....
. PA helps to process emotional information accurately and efficiently, to solve problems, make plans and achieve in ones life. However, the broaden-and-build theory of PA4,5 suggests that PA appears to broaden people’s momentary thought - action repertoires and build their enduring personal resources.
Research shows that PA relate to different classes of variables, such as social activity and the frequency of pleasant events1,2,12,13 . PA is also strongly related to life satisfaction7. The high energy and engagement, optimism
Optimism
The Oxford English Dictionary defines optimism as having "hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something; a tendency to take a favourable or hopeful view." The word is originally derived from the Latin optimum, meaning "best." Being optimistic, in the typical sense...
, and social interest characteristic of high-PA individuals suggest that they should be more likely to be satisfied with their life11,12. In fact, the content similarities between these affective traits and life satisfaction have led some researchers to view both PA/NA and life satisfaction as specific indicators of the broader construct of subjective well-being3.
PA may influence the relationships between variables in organizational research6,14.
PA increases attentional focus and behavioral repertoire and the enhanced personal resources can be used to overcome or deal distressing situation. These resources are physical (e.g., better health), social (e.g., social support
Social support
Social support can be defined and measured in many ways. It can loosely be defined as feeling that one is cared for by and has assistance available from other people and that one is part of a supportive social network...
networks), intellectual and psychological (e.g., resilience, optimism and creativity).
PA provides a psychological break or respite from stress, supporting continuing efforts to replenish resources depleted by stress8,9.
Therefore, it is evident that PA is good for our health. Its buffering functions provide a useful antidote to the problem associated with negative emotions and ill health due to stress (Fredrickson, 2001). Likewise, happy people are better in coping. McCrae and Costa (1986)10 concluded that PA was associated with more mature coping efforts.