Positivity

POSITIVITY

Paper on Positivity and its attributes in context of newer description methodology DNSEA

By Deepak Loomba

Email: dl.dstl@gmail.com

Contents

Definition of Positivity. 2

Positivity & Scale. 3

Properties of Positivity. 3

Positivity & Ownership.. 3

Positivity & Geoambience. 3

Definition of Positivity

Positivity is (i) hope of fulfillment of expectations or (ii) positive valence (positive emotions like joy, happiness etc.) that is well depicted in the right side quadrants (with positive valence) of Russell Circumplex Model depicted below. Therefore, Positivity is a personal attribute.

Optimism vis-à-vis positivity, is about circumstances or outcomes of events and not so much of personal traits. Furthermore, positivity is a practice and not a state. Optimism, on the contrary, is a state.

The statement ahead showcases the link and difference between positivity and optimism - "Practice positivity to be optimistic about one's life". This statement signifies that positivity has to be practiced and a human being can train himself to be positive.

Equating positivity with happiness is a mistake often made. Positivity may or may not lead to happiness for one or those with whom one interacts.

It is important that whatsoever is being expected and hoped for should not be damaging to oneself, others or the ambience in the short or the long run. An example would be say of a burglar - his expectation and hope to rob a house cannot be termed as positivity.

Risk to life and environs cannot increase with positivity. It should decrease. If there is an increase of risk owing to actions and emotions, such emotions or actions cannot be termed positive.

Positivity can be said to happen only then when a positive valence happens with low or high arousal.

Positivity that occurs in a person on purpose, at some specified or pre-destined time or a place or ambience is indeed that – ‘positivity on purpose’. It can be considered as an artificial positivity to serve some specific purpose and is not an inherent attribute of an individual. It is more of an exhibition of that which does not really exist.

Such false positivity can be justified only in some cases, where it leads to saving someone's life or health.

Generally, such artificial positivity is visible to others for whom it is meant. Sometimes such positivity is consumed for what it is exhibited, but most of the times it bounces of the audience. Consumption of false positivity is dependent on the consumer. Some knowingly consume it but some could also find it repulsive.

Positivity & Scale

Sudden spikes in positive valence generally do not contribute to positivity. This is visible in people who have sudden spurts of positive emotion with an equally sudden drop in them. Such unstable traits are often not perceived as positivity owing to their whimsical nature. They are rather termed mood swings.

Properties of Positivity

Positivity manifests itself not only in a stable single emotion but permits a smooth switch over from one to other until and unless it inhabits the two right quadrants of the Valence-Arousal axis of Russell Circumplex Model.

Positivity & Ownership

Positivity is generally contagious - it is easily transferable to others and the environs.

Positivity & Geoambience

Positivity of a person that is sustained under all circumstances including those that are stressful or adverse to one, is highly valued and infrequent in humans.

The next level of positivity is that which procures an emotional connect of a person with his surroundings.

Positive people are generally recognized positive by all/most people. There are no frequent contradictory views about a positive person's positivity.