Which theory posits that positive emotions broaden thought and action repertoires and build lasting personal resources?

• A. Broaden-and-Build Theory of Emotion
• B. Emotion (Affect)
• C. Physiological Arousal
• D. Expressive Behaviors

Answer: (A)

Positive emotions broaden what you think and do in the moment, opening up more ideas, more flexible problem solving, and actions you might not try when mood is neutral or negative. This broadening is at the heart of the Broaden-and-Build Theory of Emotion: positive feelings widen our thought-action repertoire and, crucially, help us build lasting personal resources—things like stronger social connections, better physical health, new skills, and greater resilience. Over time, those resources feed back to support lasting well-being and make it easier to handle future challenges. For example, a moment of amusement or joy might lead you to strike up a conversation with someone, explore a new activity, or learn something new, and these experiences accumulate into a reservoir of resources you can draw on later. While other terms describe emotion in general, bodily arousal, or outward expression, they don’t capture this specific process of broadening possibilities and building enduring resources.