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Emotion and cognition: on the cognitive processing model of nostalgia
Shurong Cao1,2
1Institute of Foreign Literature and Culture, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China.
Frontiers in Psychology
|October 4, 2024
Summary
Nostalgia is an adaptive emotional response that helps individuals cope with belongingness deficits. This cognitive model explains how nostalgia reconstructs meaning and identity by forging symbolic social bonds.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Psychology
- Emotional Science
Background:
- Nostalgia is a common yet complex emotional phenomenon.
- Limited understanding of its cognitive processing and adaptive functions exists.
- Existing research often overlooks the role of belongingness and self-continuity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cognitive processing model of nostalgia.
- To elucidate the triggering mechanisms, cognitive processes, and effects of nostalgia.
- To understand nostalgia's adaptive role in managing self-continuity and belongingness.
Main Methods:
- Grounded in emotional cognitive science.
- Developed a cognitive processing model for nostalgia.
- Analyzed the relationship between nostalgia, belongingness, and self-continuity.
Main Results:
- Nostalgia functions as an adaptive mechanism for individuals with belongingness deficiencies and low-avoidance tendencies.
- It helps individuals cope with disruptions in self-continuity by creating symbolic social bonds.
- Nostalgia facilitates the reconstruction of meaning and value systems for self-worth and identity.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive cognitive model for understanding nostalgia.
- Nostalgia serves an adaptive function in maintaining psychological well-being.
- This research offers a significant reference for studying complex emotions and identity formation.
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