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A Boost of Positive Affect: The Perks of Sharing Positive Experiences
- In a series of five studies we examined the relationship between sharing positive experiences and positive affect using a diary method (Study 1) and laboratory manipulations (Studies 2 and 3).
- All of these studies demonstrated that sharing the positive experience heightened its impact on positive affect.
- In Study 4, we conducted a four-week journal study in which the experimental participants kept a journal of grateful experiences and shared them with a partner twice a week. Control participants either kept a journal of grateful experience (without sharing), or kept a journal of class learnings and shared it with a partner.
- Those who shared their positive experiences increased in positive affect, happiness, and life satisfaction over the course of four weeks.
- Study 5 showed that those who received an “active-constructive” response to good news (enthusiastic support) expressed more positive affect than participants in all other conditions, indicating that the response of the listener is important.
- In sum, our findings suggest that positive affect, happiness, and life satisfaction reach a peak only when participants share their positive experiences and when the relationship partner provides an active-constructive response.
I wonder if sharing one's positive experiences via technology (e.g. Facebook; blog; tweet) may also boost PA?
Lambert, et al., 2013. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
