A. Definition and examples of positive emotions
The definition and description of positive emotions has eluded many researchers because of their diffuse nature. While negative emotions have distinctive qualities that enable one to distinguish them from the other, positive emotions tend to blend together into an inextricable whole. The effort of researchers has led to diverse conceptions of positive emotions. However, Fredrickson (1998) has provided a strong basis for her selection of the following positive emotions in her study: Joy, interest, contentment and love. These examples capture the complexity and interwoven nature of different positive emotions. Nonetheless, they possess distinguishing features that can be used to differentiate one from the other (p. 305).
According to Fredrickson, joy is a powerful positive emotion that encapsulates many related positive emotions such as happiness, exhilaration and amusement. Although it can be a celebratory expression of the accomplishment of one's goals, joy can also stimulate the desire to engage in playful activities that do not have a particular set of goals. Interest motivates individuals to cultivate their curiosity and rise to different challenges. It provides an impetus for individuals to find out about the mysterious aspects of life, thus expanding their knowledge. Contentment enables individuals to pause in their life, count their blessings and acknowledge their recent accomplishments. Although this emotion can be dismissed as an inactive and thus useless feeling, contentment allows individuals to acquire a profound knowledge of their beings and their relationship with the rest of the world. Finally, love encompasses many other positive emotions, but can be distinguished from these other emotions because it is usually directed towards specific individuals. Furthermore, love relationships are characterized by the recurrent experiences of positive emotions sustained during a...