The Science of Emotions

Why do we smile, laugh and actively seek out personal connections with the people around us? Why does it feel good and what evolutionary purposes do our so-called "positive emotions" serve? This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and Barbara Fredrickson, Director Positive Emotions & Psychology Laboratory at UNC Chapel Hill. Topics covered by this extensive conversation include Barbara's work on the science of positive emotions, including her broaden-and-build theory, the undoing effect and upward spirals, while highlighting relevant evolutionary-driven hypotheses together with measurement details of empirical studies.

This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Only Connect, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

1. Psychological Beginnings - Towards social psychology
2. Emotions, Scientifically - From endings to moments of intensity
3. Positive vs. Negative Emotions - Evolutionary conundrums
4. Positive Psychology Emerges - Examining human flourishing
5. Broaden and Build - A thesis emerges
6. Emotional Measurement - Searching for objective criteria
7. The Undoing Effect - A side benefit of positive emotions
8. Taking Charge - Cultivating positive emotional states
9. Responses - The perks and perils of relevance
10. Personal Flourishing - Bringing it home
11. Leveraging Positively - Generating upwards spirals

About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series (100 books):

Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers, including 3 Nobel Laureates, but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research. Howard Burton holds a PhD in physics and an MA in philosophy, and was the Founding Director of Canada's Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

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