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Distinguishing elation, gladness, and joy.
J de Rivera1, L Possell, J A Verette
1Department of Psychology, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610-1477.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|December 1, 1989
Summary
This study differentiates elation, gladness, and joy through structural analysis. Findings confirm distinct patterns in bodily changes and behaviors for these positive emotions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Affective Science
- Emotion Research
Background:
- Understanding the nuances of positive emotions is crucial for psychological well-being.
- Elation, gladness, and joy are often grouped but may possess distinct structural components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To structurally differentiate elation, gladness, and joy.
- To develop descriptive items to identify unique features of each emotion.
- To validate these distinctions through empirical study.
Main Methods:
- Development of descriptive items based on structural emotion analysis.
- Study 1: Retrospective accounts of elation, gladness, and joy, with item ratings.
- Study 2: Experimental manipulation of elation and gladness situations, with objective physiological and behavioral measures.
Main Results:
- Analysis of retrospective data revealed clear structural distinctions between elation and gladness.
- Evidence suggests a potentially distinct structure for joy.
- Experimental results confirmed the structural differences identified in self-reports.
Conclusions:
- Elation and gladness are structurally distinct positive emotions.
- Joy may also have a unique emotional structure.
- Objective measures corroborate the subjective experience of these emotional differences.