NH_10Broaden&Build

Broaden-and-Build Theory

A theory proposed by Barbara Fredrickson suggesting that positive emotions broaden cognitive processes and build personal resources.

Positive Emotions

Feelings like joy, love, and interest that stimulate beneficial changes in behavior and cognition.

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

A lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them synchronously.

Memory Reconsolidation

The process by which retrieved memories become susceptible to change before they are stored again.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of therapy that focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors.

Emotional Arousal

The physiological and psychological state of being aware and alert, accompanied by feelings and impulses.

Visual Attention

The ability to concentrate on specific visual stimuli while ignoring distractions.

Ratio of positive to negative emotions

The balance of positive versus negative emotional experiences that contributes to psychological well-being.

Savoring

The act of fully engaging with and appreciating positive experiences.

Behavioral Therapy

A type of therapy that aims to change undesired behavior through reinforcement strategies.

Positive Constructs

Mental frameworks or associations that focus on positive experiences and thoughts.

Suppression vs Replacement

Strategies for coping with negative thoughts; suppression involves attempting to ignore or avoid negative thoughts, while replacement involves substituting them with positive ones.

Downward Spiral of Negativity

A continuous cycle where negative emotions and thoughts lead to more negativity, making it difficult to recover.

Stress Inoculation Therapy

An approach to helping individuals manage stress by using positive experiences to prepare for threatening situations.

Affective Valence

The intrinsic attractiveness (positive valence) or aversiveness (negative valence) of an event, object, or situation.

Positive Affectivity

The extent to which an individual experiences positive moods and emotions.

Visual Encoding

The process of converting visual information into a form that can be stored in memory.

Emotional Processing

The ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and others.

Social Closeness

The feeling of being connected or close to others, often enhanced by positive interactions.

Behavioral Flexibility

The ability to adapt one’s behaviors in response to changing environments and experiences.

Cognitive Flexibility

The ability to switch between thinking about two different concepts, or to think about multiple concepts simultaneously.

Neurons that Fire Together Wire Together

A principle of synaptic plasticity that suggests that simultaneous activation of cells leads to pronounced increases in synaptic strength.

Cognitive Distortions

Erroneous thought patterns that contribute to negative emotions.

Empirically Validated

Therapies or interventions that have been scientifically tested and proven effective.

Behavior Change Techniques

Strategies used to promote and support changes in behavior.

Emotional Trace

The lasting impact of an emotional experience on an individual's processing and learning.

Tugade & Fredrickson Study

Research that explored the relationship between positive emotions and resilience during stress.

Active Regulation

Intentional efforts to manage and modify emotional responses.

Self-Perpetuating Emotional Systems

Emotional states that reinforce themselves over time, leading to sustained emotional experiences.

Automatic Behavior

Actions that occur without conscious thought, often as a result of learned patterns.

Flanker Task

A psychological task involving attention where participants must respond to a center stimulus while ignoring surrounding stimuli.

Remote Associates Test (RAT)

A creativity test that requires participants to find a common association between three words.

Bidirectional Relationship

A reciprocal connection where two factors influence each other.

Cognitive Reappraisal

A strategy for changing the interpretation of a situation to alter its emotional impact.

Stress Response

The body's reaction to perceived threats, often involving physiological changes.

Sensory Adaptation

Diminished sensitivity to a stimulus as a consequence of constant exposure.

Affective Picture System (IAPS)

A standardized set of images used to evoke emotional responses for research.

Thought Suppression

The conscious attempt to avoid specific thoughts or memories.

Incompatible Behaviors

Actions that cannot coexist with undesired behaviors, used in behavioral therapy.

Least Reinforcing Syndrome (L.R.S.)

The principle that the absence of any response to a behavior will lead to its decline.

Optimal Functioning Ratio

The ideal balance of positive to negative experiences for psychological well-being.

Memory Activation

The retrieval and recall of stored memories, often influenced by current thoughts.

Temporal Dynamics of Emotion

How emotions change and evolve over time.

Cognitive Overexertion

Mental strain caused by excessive focus or deep thinking about negative themes.

Emotional Synapse Formation

The process through which repeated positive experiences lead to stronger emotional connections in the brain.

Affiliative Behaviors

Social behaviors that promote bonding and cooperation among individuals.

Emotional Nurturing

Providing emotional support that promotes psychological health and well-being.

Psychological Flexibility

The ability to adapt one’s thoughts and behaviors in response to changing situational demands.

Neuroscientific Research

Scientific studies that explore the brain's structure and function.

Thought Patterns

Regular, recurrent ways of thinking that influence a person's feelings and behaviors.

Self-Growth

Personal development and improvement in one’s capabilities or character.

Social Bonding

The process of forming emotional connections with others, enhanced by shared experiences.

Emotional States

Temporary feelings that can vary in intensity and duration.

Objective Observer Technique

A method of viewing situations without emotional bias, often used in cognitive reappraisal.

Attentional Capacity

The total amount of information a person can process and respond to at a given time.

Challenge and Growth

The relationship between facing difficulties and achieving personal development.

Psychological Constructs

Theoretical concepts used to understand human thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Positive Psychological States

States of mind characterized by positive emotions and thoughts.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness.

Emotional Resources

Capabilities and strengths that support coping with stress and fostering positivity.

Coping Mechanisms

Strategies individuals use to manage stress and difficult emotions.

Experimental Manipulation

The deliberate alteration of variables in psychological studies to observe effects.

Mental Resilience

The ability to stay strong in the face of adversity and manage emotional responses.

Self-Generated Emotions

Feelings that an individual cultivates through thought and behavior regardless of external circumstances.

Attention Allocation

The distribution of cognitive resources toward various stimuli in the environment.

Neural Pathways

Connections between neurons that allow for communication within the brain.

Adaptive Strategies

Effective methods used to adjust to changes or challenges.

Holistic View of Emotions

A comprehensive perspective that considers the interplay of various emotional factors.

Psychological Benefits of Positivity

The advantages of maintaining a positive mindset for mental health and well-being.