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Self-transcendent positive emotions increase spirituality through basic world assumptions.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Van Cappellen, P; Saroglou, V; Iweins, C; Piovesana, M; Fredrickson, BL
Published in: Cognition & emotion
January 2013

Spirituality has mostly been studied in psychology as implied in the process of overcoming adversity, being triggered by negative experiences, and providing positive outcomes. By reversing this pathway, we investigated whether spirituality may also be triggered by self-transcendent positive emotions, which are elicited by stimuli appraised as demonstrating higher good and beauty. In two studies, elevation and/or admiration were induced using different methods. These emotions were compared to two control groups, a neutral state and a positive emotion (mirth). Self-transcendent positive emotions increased participants' spirituality (Studies 1 and 2), especially for the non-religious participants (Study 1). Two basic world assumptions, i.e., belief in life as meaningful (Study 1) and in the benevolence of others and the world (Study 2) mediated the effect of these emotions on spirituality. Spirituality should be understood not only as a coping strategy, but also as an upward spiralling pathway to and from self-transcendent positive emotions.

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Published In

Cognition & emotion

DOI

EISSN

1464-0600

ISSN

0269-9931

Publication Date

January 2013

Volume

27

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1378 / 1394

Related Subject Headings

  • Spirituality
  • Social Psychology
  • Religion
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Emotions
  • Culture
  • Adult
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
 

Citation

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Van Cappellen, P., Saroglou, V., Iweins, C., Piovesana, M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Self-transcendent positive emotions increase spirituality through basic world assumptions. Cognition & Emotion, 27(8), 1378–1394. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2013.787395
Van Cappellen, Patty, Vassilis Saroglou, Caroline Iweins, Maria Piovesana, and Barbara L. Fredrickson. “Self-transcendent positive emotions increase spirituality through basic world assumptions.Cognition & Emotion 27, no. 8 (January 2013): 1378–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2013.787395.
Van Cappellen P, Saroglou V, Iweins C, Piovesana M, Fredrickson BL. Self-transcendent positive emotions increase spirituality through basic world assumptions. Cognition & emotion. 2013 Jan;27(8):1378–94.
Van Cappellen, Patty, et al. “Self-transcendent positive emotions increase spirituality through basic world assumptions.Cognition & Emotion, vol. 27, no. 8, Jan. 2013, pp. 1378–94. Epmc, doi:10.1080/02699931.2013.787395.
Van Cappellen P, Saroglou V, Iweins C, Piovesana M, Fredrickson BL. Self-transcendent positive emotions increase spirituality through basic world assumptions. Cognition & emotion. 2013 Jan;27(8):1378–1394.

Published In

Cognition & emotion

DOI

EISSN

1464-0600

ISSN

0269-9931

Publication Date

January 2013

Volume

27

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1378 / 1394

Related Subject Headings

  • Spirituality
  • Social Psychology
  • Religion
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Emotions
  • Culture
  • Adult
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology