Fredrickson Et Al. (2003) Used

Fredrickson et al. (2003) used Barbara L. Fredrickson's (2003) broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, which states that positive emotions (i.e. enjoyment and happiness and, possibly, interest / anticipation) expands personal awareness, creativity, and innovation. Over time, this accrual of positive emotions develops into a repertoire of skills and resources (for instance, gratitude develops friendship). A negative emotion, on the other hand, promotes a rigid, flight-and-fight response aimed to survival.

Whilst positive emotions, on the other hand, do not have any immediate survival benefit, they are more advantageous for survival in the long run (Compton, 2005; Fredrickson, 2003). The authors hypothesized that the advantageous cognitive state that occurs during experienced positive emotions will also enable individuals to become more resilient and will help them better endure and deal with crisis. The research question in this study flowed around the theory that Fredrickson et al.

(2003) expected resilient people to experience fewer symptoms of depression following a crisis, and that this buffering effect came from their prior 'internal' storehouse of positive emotions. As connected to Fredrickson's (2003) broaden-and-build theory, the theory articulates that build-up, over time, of positive emotions introduces positive aspects of well-being. One of these quality aspects of well-being is resilience. Stated in another way: Positive emotions, as per the experience of the pleasurable state, broadens cognition. Fredrickson et al.

(2003) inferred that over time, and with repeated experiences of these mind-broadening phenomena, the individual's coping style can be strengthened and improved. Resilience can be seen as a manifestation of positive characteristics. The authors, therefore, chose positive characteristics that they felt were most synonymous to the positive emotions referred to by Fredrickson's (2003) theory. The variables here included aspect of gratitude, interest, love, life satisfaction, and tranquility, all subsumed under the greater category of 'resilience' as opposed to parallel negative emotions that indicated polar opposites such as depression, disgrace, or unhappiness.

The authors believed the theory was confirmed by the indication that people with pre-existing high trait resilience (namely already existent strong tendency towards specific positive emotions) seemed to show interest in life and other positive emotions more intensely and frequently than did the other participants who experienced the same crisis (in this aspect, September 11th). Analysis also suggested that positive emotions helped buffer event and helped individuals surmount trauma. Resilience can be attributed to various factors, and, indeed, the literature on resilience is huge.

It is apparent here that Fredrickson et al. (2003) approached resilience from their specific vantage point since, already influenced by Frederickson's theory and obviously subjective since one of the authors is Fredrickson herself, they viewed resilience in the context of her theory and produced outcomes that resonated with her approach. Our perspectives on the world are generated by.