The Science of Positive Thinking
Positivity seems to be a tool that could be used to our benefit, but it is often the realm of self-help literature that is not taken seriously.
Positive thinking, though, should not be ignored.
Scientists are releasing study outcomes that suggest an optimistic attitude “can actually create real value in your life and help you build skills that last much longer than a smile,” writes James Clear in the Huffington Post.
Brain response to positivity
In his discussion of positive thinking as one of the most effective health hacks, Clear highlights research by psychologist Barbara Fredrickson. Fredrickson and her team at the University of North Carolina focused on understanding how the brain responds to positivity.
Fredrickson devised a study, frequently cited in the fields of psychology and neurology, to determine how an upbeat outlook affects the brain. She placed participants in five categories and then presented a carefully chosen segment of film to the members of each category, assuming that filmic emotions are contagious.
Two of the groups saw scenes that inspired optimism. One was shown an interaction in which the characters were extraordinarily happy. The other saw a clip in which the actors were displaying satisfaction.
A third group, the control, watched action that was neither positive nor negative.
Finally, two additional groups saw snippets in which the filmmaker was generating pessimistic feelings. One was shown a clip that was horrific and intended to make viewers fearful. The other saw a scene that Fredrickson believed would prompt viewers to feel angry.
Following the display of the film clips, all participants in the positive thinking study were instructed to picture themselves in a real-life scenario that generated the same emotions. They were then directed to describe in writing how they would react. Specifically, Clear notes, “Each participant was handed a piece of paper with 20 blank lines that started with the phrase, ‘I would like to…’”
Those who had been in the afraid or angry viewing group had the briefest comments. Those who saw the happy or satisfied scenes recorded substantially more actions than either the negative or the neutral group.
What the study tells us
Based on these findings, psychology and neurology experts believe that when people are optimistic, they are likelier to see a broader set of options for their current and future life. However, the impact is much more extensive than access to possibility. Fredrickson explained in her “broaden and build” theory accompanying the study that those who think positively are likelier to develop physical, social, and creative skills, toolsets outlasting the positive thinking itself.
Health hacks such as the development of positive thinking are a part of functional neurology, the practice of neurology without drugs or invasive surgery. Find out how we can help you with functional neurology strategies in a free consultation.