Positive affectivity (PA) is a human characteristic that describes how much people experience positive
affects (sensations, emotions, sentiments); and as a consequence how they interact with others and with their surroundings.
People with high positive affectivity are typically enthusiastic, energetic, confident, active, and alert. Research has linked positive affectivity with an increase in longevity, better sleep, and a decrease in stress hormones.
People with a high positive affectivity have healthier coping styles, more positive self-qualities, and are more goal oriented.
Positive affectivity also promotes an open-minded attitude, sociability, and helpfulness.
Those having low levels of positive affectivity (and high levels of ''negative'' affectivity) are characterized by sadness, lethargy, distress, and un-pleasurable engagement (see
negative affectivity). Low levels of positive affect are correlated with social anxiety and depression, due to decreased levels of dopamine.
Psychology
Happiness, a feeling of well-being, and high levels of
self-esteem are often associated with high levels of positive affectivity, but they are each influenced by negative affectivity as well.
Trait PA roughly corresponds to the dominant
personality factors of
extraversion
Extraversion and introversion are a central trait dimension in human personality theory. The terms were introduced into psychology by Carl Jung, though both the popular understanding and current psychological usage are not the same as Jung's ...
;
however, this construct is also influenced by interpersonal components.
Effects
Overall, positive affect results in a more positive outlook, increases problem solving skills, increases social skills, increases activity and projects, and can play a role in motor function.
Positive affectivity is an integral part of
everyday life
Everyday life, daily life or routine life comprises the ways in which people typically act, think, and feel on a daily basis. Everyday life may be described as mundane, routine, natural, habitual, or Normality (behavior), normal.
Human diurna ...
.
PA helps individuals to process emotional information accurately and efficiently, to solve problems, to make plans, and to earn achievements. The
broaden-and-build theory of PA
suggests that PA broadens people's momentary thought-action repertoires and builds their enduring personal resources.
Research shows that PA relates to different classes of variables, such as social activity and the frequency of pleasant events.
[Bradburn, N. M. (1969).]
The structure of psychological well-being
. Chicago: Aldine. PA also strongly relates to
life satisfaction
Life satisfaction is an evaluation of a person's quality of life. It is assessed in terms of mood, relationship satisfaction, achieved goals, self-concepts, and the self-perceived ability to cope with life. Life satisfaction involves a favorabl ...
.
The high energy and engagement,
optimism, and social interest characteristic of high-PA individuals suggest that they are more likely to be satisfied with their lives.
[Tellegen, A. (1985). "Structures of mood and personality and their relevance to assessing anxiety, with an emphasis on self-report". In A. H. Tuma & J. D. Maser (Eds.), ''Anxiety and the Anxiety Disorders'', (pp. 681–706), Hilssdale, NJ: Erlbaum.] 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-being.
PA may influence the relationships between variables in
organizational research.
PA increases attentional focus and behavioral repertoire, and these enhanced personal resources can help to overcome or deal with distressing situations. These resources are physical (e.g., better health), social (e.g.,
social support
Social support is the perception and actuality that one is cared for, has assistance available from other people, and, most popularly, that one is part of a supportive social network. These supportive resources can be emotional (e.g., nurturance), ...
networks), and intellectual and psychological (e.g.,
resilience, optimism, and
creativity
Creativity is the ability to form novel and valuable Idea, ideas or works using one's imagination. Products of creativity may be intangible (e.g. an idea, scientific theory, Literature, literary work, musical composition, or joke), or a physica ...
).
PA provides a psychological break or respite from
stress,
supporting continued efforts to replenish resources depleted by stress.
[Lazarus, R. S. (1991). ''Emotion and Adaptation''. NY: Oxford Univ. Press.][Khosla, M. (2006 c). Finding benefit in adversity. Manuscript in press.] Its buffering functions provide a useful antidote to the problems associated with negative emotions and ill health due to stress,
[ as PA reduces allostatic load.]
Negative affectivity
Positive affectivity (PA) and negative affectivity (NA) are nearly independent of each other;[Naragon, K., & Watson, D. (2009). "Positive affectivity". In S. Lopez (Ed.), ''The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology'' (pp. 707–711). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.] it is possible for a person to be high in both PA and NA, high in one and low in the other, or low in both. Affectivity has been found to be moderately stable over time and across situations (such as working versus relaxing).
Neuropsychology
Studies are finding there is a relationship between dopamine release and positive affect in cognitive abilities.
Business management
Positive affectivity is a managerial and organizational behavior tool used to create positive environments in the workplace. Through the use of PA, the manager can induce a positive employee experience and culture. "Since affectivity is related to the employee experiences, we expect the employees with high PA to feel considerable organizational support. Their optimism and confidence also helps them discuss their views in a manner characterized by constructive controversy with their supervisor, so that problems are solved and their positive feelings confirmed". Positive Affectivity allows creative problem solving to flourish in an environment where employees are not intimidated to approach managers, therefore employees believe they are playing a key role in the organization in coming forward with solutions. The goal is to maximize PA and minimize any negative affectivity circulating in the business. Negative emotions, such as fear
Fear is an unpleasant emotion that arises in response to perception, perceived dangers or threats. Fear causes physiological and psychological changes. It may produce behavioral reactions such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the ...
, anger
Anger, also known as wrath ( ; ) or rage (emotion), rage, is an intense emotional state involving a strong, uncomfortable and non-cooperative response to a perceived provocation, hurt, or threat.
A person experiencing anger will often experie ...
, stress, hostility
Hostility is seen as a form of emotionally charged aggressive behavior. In everyday speech, it is more commonly used as a synonym for anger and aggression.
It appears in several psychological theories. For instance it is a Facet (psychology), f ...
, sadness
Sadness is an emotional pain associated with, or characterized by, feelings of disadvantage, loss, despair, grief, helplessness, disappointment and sorrow. An individual experiencing sadness may become quiet or lethargic, and withdraw the ...
, and guilt, increase the predictability of workplace deviance,
Testing
Because there is not a hard-and-fast rule for defining certain levels of positive affectivity, different self-reported assessments use different scales of measure.
See also
* Affection
* Anhedonia
* Gratitude
Gratitude, thankfulness, or gratefulness is a feeling of appreciation (or similar positive response) by a recipient of another's kindness. This kindness can be gifts, help, favors, or another form of generosity to another person.
The word come ...
* Happiness
* Joy
* Satisfaction
* Surgency
References
Further reading
*
*
*
*Lopez, S. J. (2008). Positive psychology: Exploring the best in people. (Vol. 2). Westport, CT: Praeger Publications.
*Lopez, S., & Snyder, C. R. (2009). Oxford handbook of positive psychology. (2nd ed.). Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.
*Tomkins, S. S. (1962). Affect, imagery, consciousness. (Vol. I). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.
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Affection