Barbara Fredrickson: Positive Emotions are the Tiny Engines of Mirror Flourishing

Regularly invited to give keynotes internationally and receiving more than 16 consecutive years of research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., is currently Kenan Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with appointments in Psychology and the Kenan-Flagler School of Business. Dr. Frederickson received the American Psychological Association’s inaugural Templeton Prize in Positive Psychology in 2000 for her work on the broaden-and-build theory, which suggests that positive emotions lead to novel, expansive, or exploratory behavior, and that, over time, these actions lead to meaningful, long-term resources such as knowledge and social relationships.

Echoing her long-standing accomplishments in psychology and organizational behavior, Dr. Frederickson kicked off the Fourth Global Forum and the celebration of flourishing enterprises this week by labeling positive emotions as the “tiny engines of mirror flourishing.” Mirror flourishing suggests that by focusing outward on deeper meaning and changing our daily practices we can change ourselves, our relationships and our institutions. Daily practices should build on the recognition that while emotions, both positive or negative, are merely micro-moments, they are nonetheless “very powerful, broaden awareness and help to build resilience and connect dots in the mind in ways that are lasting and durable.” Long-standing practices, such as Loving Kindness Meditation, where mantras wishing goodwill among others and within yourself, set the conditions for longevity and Positive Resonance (think of this as a ripple effect of positive emotions throughout your life in a way that also impacts those around you).

Not only are psychological effects of positive emotions apparent and well-documented in research journals (neural plasticity, deeper relationships, and broadened awareness), the extent to which a person’s physiology is impacted is correlated with the extent they are socially integrated. Social integration through positive connections predicts physiological longevity more so than being overweight or smoking, according to Dr. Fredrickson. The important factor to note, however, is that there is a need to make use of the everyday micro-moments, those small and constant opportunities, to practice positivity because neural plasticity is a “use it or lose it phenomenon.”

As far as the tiny engines, if there is one piece to remember from Dr. Fredrickson’s keynote, it is that leading with love and meaning cannot be forced. The engines of flourishing mentally are powered not by force, but, as in landing a plane, by setting the right conditions.

If you want to learn more about Positive Resonance, Mirror Flourishing, and Dr. Fredrickson’s Broaden-and-Build Theory, visit Coursera for a free online course and check out her landmark book Love 2.0.

Dr. Fredrickson’s professional biography can be found here.