FEATURING
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
TITLE
Conducive Conditions for Positivity Resonance at Multiple Levels of Analysis
ABSTRACT
Dr. Fredrickson will share the latest evolution within her research program on the emotion of love, conceptualized as positivity resonance experienced in everyday moments of connection between and among individuals with prior strong, weak, or no social ties. This work builds on her team’s past work that has underscored the multi-level consequences of positivity resonance, ranging from individual health and longevity to communal goodwill and public health. Although that past work illuminates why the emotional quality of everyday social interaction matters, it says little about how these health- and goodwill-promoting moments can be most effectively cultivated. The most recent work to emerge from Fredrickson’s team pivots to investigate multi-level conducive conditions for positivity resonance, ranging from individual-level (e.g., anticipated discrimination, high-quality listening) to collective-level (e.g., civic engagement, relational mobility), and structural-level (e.g., economic inequality, the built environment). This new work stands to provide a vital foundation for the translation of basic science discoveries in positive psychology into effective and equitable micro- and macro-level interventions to address the loneliness epidemic and restore connectedness, humility and goodwill within our communities and social discourse.
BIO
Dr. Fredrickson is Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she directs the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Laboratory . She has published more 160 scholarly papers, becoming one of the most highly cited scientists worldwide. A recipient of numerous awards for her research and university teaching, Dr. Fredrickson also reaches general audiences worldwide through her books, Positivity and Love 2.0 and her free, online course on the Coursera platform. In 2017, she was honored with the Tang Prize to recognize exceptional career contributions to the well-being of humanity.
Annually the Department of Psychology hosts a Colloquia Series throughout the academic year. This exciting program brings us together outside of the classroom to have conversations with the speakers we’ve invited to our campus to share their ideas. You’ll have the chance to hear from international speakers on a wide range of provocative topics.
