Some perspectives on positive affect and self-regulation.

摘要: The purpose of this commentary is to clarify the role positive-affect maintenance, as it has been proposed in my work, a goal that influences behavior people experiencing positive affect. This seems necessary because there appears be some misunderstanding with regard these processes. My focus on summarizing data gave rise idea and are now informing shaping our understanding further. But, addition, important note consideration issues suggests likely relation between affect self-regulation goes beyond affect-maintenance. First, not assume, was never suggested, whom had induced would use everything their power maintain state, at all costs, or guided solely by affect-maintenance motive, preference other motives. It always recognized multidetermined, maintenance only one many motives potentially active any given time (in fact, even several affect), person's depends integration goals motives, which present most situations. Second, position been, based evidence, people's best understood if thinks them purposive, agents planning courses actions achieve seem appropriate for situations contexts they in. Third, against backdrop, understand, first, indicating sometimes avoided meaningful, large risks greater extent than controls did (e.g., Isen & Geva, 1987; Patrick, 1983), appeared especially sensitive loss (Isen, Nygren, Ashby, 1988). Also need interpretation were showing effects often apply negative material Isen, Johnson, Mertz, Robinson, 1985; Niedenthal, Cantor, 1992; Shalker, 1982), that, more generally, influence ofpositive found symmetrical Clark, Karp, 1978; Snyder White, 1984; Teasdale Fogarty, 1979; Teasdale, Taylor, 1980). These, then, factors suggestion engenders influenced manner broad context made. Subsequently, ourunderstanding ofthe impact grew, became possible begin see additional motivational learn about kinds various likely. To understand meaning processes regulation its fully, keep mind majoreffects andramifications thatpositive feelings have. In way, can integrate abilities, resources, (including preferences aversions) will have, into self-regulation. end, I brief overview major have identified research literature relevant affect's A growing body indicates social behavior, such helping generosity, cognitive memory, judgment, decision making, problem solving, recently motivation (see, e.g., 1999b, 2000, reviews). work fosters helpfulness others, well kindness oneself, elaboration flexibility, thorough efficient solving. That is, enhances innovation creative problem-solving ability, also facilitating factor leading, under circumstances, seeing things different ways, improved interactions solving-problem solving thinking both and, same time, thorough. For example, studies involving participants drawn from wide range walks life college students, young adolescents, medical practicing physicians), able solve problems requiring ingenuity Estrada, Young, 1994; Greene Noice, 1988; Hirt, Melton, McDonald, Harackiewicz, 1996; Daubman, Nowicki, 1999a, discussion). studies, shown increase variety-seeking among safe, enjoyable alternatives, broaden sets choosing products (Kahn 1993). Other leads elaborate organize thoughts more, var-