Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2021
Publication Title
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume
121
Pages
220-249
Publisher Name
Elsevier
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.
Recommended Citation
Alexander, Rebecca; Aragón, Oriana R.; Bookwala, Jamila; Cherbuin, Nicolas; Gatt, Justine M.; Kahrilas, Ian James; Kästner, Niklas; Lawrence, Alistair; Lowe, Leroy; Morrison, Robert; Mueller, Sven C.; Nusslock, Robin; Papdelis, Christos; Polnaszek, Kelly L.; Richter, S Helene; Silton, Rebecca; and Styliadis, Charis. The Neuroscience of Positive Emotions and Affect: Implications for Cultivating Happiness and Wellbeing. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 121, : 220-249, 2021. Retrieved from Loyola eCommons, Psychology: Faculty Publications and Other Works, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.002
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Copyright Statement
© The Authors, 2021.
Comments
Author Posting © The Authors, 2021. This article is posted here by permission of Elsevier for personal use. The article was published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Volume 121, February 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.002.