http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SIL0185-0-7561&artno=0000172099&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=The%20Value%20of%20Positive%20Emotions&title=The%20Value%20of%20Positive%20Emotions&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=N
- The study of positive emotions uses a completely different framework than the study of negative emotions.
- Negative emotions: (anger, fear, sadness) have a clear evolutionary purpose- they are associated clearly with urges to act in a certain way- such as anger and the urge to attack, and fear and the urge to escape, they are easier to tell apart.
- Positive emotions: (joy, serenity, amusement) don't have a clear evolutionary purpose- they don't lead us to act in a way that will help us survive, and all positive emotions are generally expressed the same way physically (smiling, muscles around eyes contract causing cheeks to lift)
- Studies have shown that those who possess high levels of positive emotions live longer.
- Studies have shown that positive emotions generally produce a broadened pattern of thinking and cause the thinker to think more creatively and to be more flexible with other ideas.
- Even short-term happiness can have long term effects. A positive state of mind produces positive actions.
