Excitement and joy: The role of the positive affects in development and well-being

The last 20 years has seen progress in the study of emotion from many different theoretical orientations, especially in infant development and the neuro-physiology of negative emotions. Psychodynamic theorists have also made progress in loosening the ties of instinct theory and the drives as the primary motivators in man. However, until recently, less attention has been given to the particular role and function of the positive affects.;Using the multidisciplinary perspective of Silvan Tomkins, whose work lay unnoticed for many years and upon whose shoulders some of the current affect research stands, this study synthesizes a better understanding of the positive affects. Tomkins' theory identifies two innate, positive affects, namely "interest-excitement" and "enjoyment joy." This study first looks at the function of the positive affects that the newborn infant uses in making sense of the world, particularly in the areas of attachment (Bowlby), the development of internal objects (Klein), thinking capacity (Bion), and aesthetic capacity (Stern, Meltzer). Second, it explores examples of the shadow side of positive affects: how they may become out of balance within the individual personality and the culture. Third, this study considers the vicissitudes that positive affects undergo in the course of development. Finally, it examines the relationship between joy and a sense of well-being in our adult lives.;Broadly, the study's findings are as follows: First, there is a continuing need to investigate the positive affects more fully and to consider them as phenomena distinct from negative affects. Second, the positive affects are agents of the innate, unconscious psyche: interest-excitement is the object-seeking affect and enjoyment-joy is the object-finding affect. Third, clinical problems arise when excitement is given pre-eminence over joy in our culture, resulting in a rift in the natural tension arc between excitement and joy. Finally, excitement and joy are essential both to mental development in infants and the individuation process throughout adult life.