Positive to Negative Ratio

 

Figure: Positivity ratios about 3-to-1 and below about 11-to-1 appear to uniquely characterize the complex dyanmics of human flourishing.

 

We know from the work described so far that positive emotions hold clear benefits. We should probably each cultivate more of them in our lives.  But how much more? What is an optimal amount of positive emotion relative to negative emotion? Previous research provides some hints; depression, failing marriages, and unsuccessful business teams can each be characterized by very low ratios of positive to negative emotions (less than 1-to-1). By sharp contrast, optimal well-being, happy marriages, and successful business teams show much higher positivity ratios (above 3-to-1).

Our lab is exploring whether an emotional recipe for predicting healthy outcomes exists.  In 2005 Fredrickson and Losada published an article in American Psychologist to suggest that positivity ratios above about 3-to-1 and below about 11-to-1 are what humans need to flourish. We are continuing to test the viability of this recipe.

Fredrickson & Losada (2005) American Psychologist

 

Related Research:
The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions
The Broaden Hypothesis
The Build Hypothesis
The Undoing Hypothesis