"Broaden and Build" Model

Barbara Fedrickson, of the University of North Carolina, developed the "Broaden and Build" model of positive emotion. In short, this model proposes that positive emotions lead people to broaden their thinking and actions and lead to building their strengths.

Of course, the Broaden and Build model has much to say to RTs. Participation in recreation allows people safe environments in which to experience positive emotions. This safe, positive environment allows them to open up to new ways of thinking and acting. Resulting from this broadening are outcomes that build the person's skills and resources.

I have written previously about the Broaden and Build Model but hope to enlarge on its relationship to RT in the next edition of my book Therapeutic Recreation Processes and Techniques.

For those who wish to read more I would recommend Fredrickson's article titled "What Good are Positive Emotions" in the Review of General Psychology, Volume 2, pp. 300 - 319. Another good article by Fredrickson is "The Role of Positive Emotiions in Positive Psychology" that appeared in 2001 in Vol 56, No. 3, pp. 218 - 226, of the American Psychologist.