Title
Cultivated Positive Emotions Inspire Environmentally Responsible Behaviors
Document Type
Thesis or dissertation
Date of this Version
2009
Abstract
Existing environmental problems, such as climate change and species extinction, are partially the result of human behavior. Attempts to motivate people to reduce and alter consumption behaviors have primarily relied on the summoning of negative emotions. The author elaborates a comprehensive theory, supported by empirical evidence, showing how positive emotions can be more effective at inspiring environmentally responsible behaviors. B. L. Fredrickson’s (1998, 2001) broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions is used to demonstrate how cultivated positive emotions can, expand people’s awareness that they are a connected part of the Earth’s living system, increase their capacity to creatively and effectively address environmental problems, and help them recognize that well-being and environmental health go hand in hand.
Keywords
emotions, motivation, environmentalism, behavior, culture
Topic
Positive Emotions, Well-Being/Flourishing
Format
Thesis
Date Posted: 19 December 2014