| In her Broaden-and-Build model, Fredrickson (1998) posited that positive affect leads to a broadening of cognition. This expansive thinking should allow the individual to build resources that assist in coping. The present studies tested and extended Fredrickson's model. Specifically, I examined whether positive affect, in addition to causing broadened attention and cognition, also leads to future orientation. This could be a mechanism through which positive affect leads to better self-regulation and positive outcomes. Study 1 examined whether positive affect is associated with future orientation and abstract thinking. Two laboratory studies (Studies 2 & 3) examined whether induced positive mood lead to future-oriented, broad-minded, and abstract thinking. Study 4 attempted to establish a directional relationship between broadened attention and abstract thinking. There was partial support for the notion that positive emotions are associated with abstract thinking and future orientation. However, the laboratory studies failed to reveal evidence for these associations. |
