The neuroscience of positive emotions and affect: Implications for cultivating happiness and wellbeing
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Abstract
- This review paper provides an integrative account regarding neurophysiological correlates of positive emotions
and affect that cumulatively contribute to the scaffolding for happiness and wellbeing in humans and other
animals. This paper reviews the associations among neurotransmitters, hormones, brain networks, and cognitive
functions in the context of positive emotions and affect. Consideration of lifespan developmental perspectives are
incorporated, and we also examine the impact of healthy social relationships and environmental contexts on the
modulation of positive emotions and affect. The neurophysiological processes that implement positive emotions
are dynamic and modifiable, and meditative practices as well as flow states that change patterns of brain function
and ultimately support wellbeing are also discussed. This review is part of “The Human Affectome Project”
(http://neuroqualia.org/background.php), and in order to advance a primary aim of the Human Affectome
Project, we also reviewed relevant linguistic dimensions and terminology that characterizes positive emotions
and wellbeing. These linguistic dimensions are discussed within the context of the neuroscience literature with
the overarching goal of generating novel recommendations for advancing neuroscience research on positive
emotions and wellbeing.
| Title | The neuroscience of positive emotions and affect: Implications for cultivating happiness and wellbeing |
|---|---|
| Creator | Silton, R. L. |
| Morrison, R. G. | |
| Mueller, S. C. | |
| Cherbuin, N. | |
| Aragon, O. R. | |
| Richter, S. H. | |
| Lawrence, A. | |
| Alexander, R. | |
| Papadelis, C. | |
| Styliadis, C. | |
| Nusslock, R. | |
| Lowe, L. | |
| Kastner, N. | |
| Polnaszek, K. L. | |
| Kahrilas, I. J. | |
| Gatt, J. M. | |
| Bookwala, Jamila | |
| Publisher | Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews |
| Academic Department | Psychology |
| Division | Natural Sciences |
| Organization | Lafayette College |
| Date Issued | February 2021 |
| Date Available | 2021-01-08 |
| Type | Article |
| Language | English |
| Keyword | linguistics |
| wellbeing | |
| positive emotions | |
| neuroscience | |
| positive affect | |
| Bibliographic Citation | Alexander, R., et al. (2021 Feb) "The neuroscience of positive emotions and affect: Implications for cultivating happiness and wellbeing." Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 121: 220-249. |
| Standard Identifier | Handle 10385/hm50tt20v |
| Permalink | http://hdl.handle.net/10385/hm50tt20v |
| Rights Statement |
Creative Commons - Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives
|
| Rights Holders | Silton, R. L. |
| Kastner, N. | |
| Mueller, S. C. | |
| Cherbuin, N. | |
| Aragon, O. R. | |
| Richter, S. H. | |
| Lawrence, A. | |
| Alexander, R. | |
| Papadelis, C. | |
| Bookwala, Jamila | |
| Nusslock, R. | |
| Lowe, L. | |
| Morrison, R. G. | |
| Polnaszek, K. L. | |
| Kahrilas, I. J. | |
| Gatt, J. M. | |
| Styliadis, C. |
Contains
| File | Bookwala-NeuroscienceandBiobehavioralReviews-vol121-2021.pdf | Uploaded 2021-01-08 | Public | Download |