Why do we smile, laugh and actively seek out personal connections with the people around us? Why does it feel good and what evolutionary purposes do our so-called “positive emotions” serve? This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Barbara Fredrickson, Director Positive Emotions & Psychology Laboratory at UNC Chapel Hill. Topics covered by this extensive conversation include Barbara’s work on the science of positive emotions, including her broaden-and-build theory, the undoing effect and upward spirals, while highlighting relevant evolutionary-driven hypotheses together with measurement details of empirical studies. This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Only Connect, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:I. Psychological Beginnings - Towards social psychologyEmotions, Scientifically - From endings to moments of intensityPositive vs. Negative Emotions - Evolutionary conundrumsPositive Psychology Emerges - Examining human flourishingBroaden and Build - A thesis emergesEmotional Measurement - Searching for objective criteriaThe Undoing Effect - A side benefit of positive emotionsTaking Charge - Cultivating positive emotional statesResponses - The perks and perils of relevancePersonal Flourishing - Bringing it homeLeveraging Positively - Generating upwards spiralsAbout Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series: This book is part of an expanding series of 100+ Ideas Roadshow conversations, each one presenting a wealth of candid insights from a leading expert in a focused yet informal setting to give non-specialists a uniquely accessible window into frontline research and scholarship that wouldn't otherwise be encountered through standard lectures and textbooks. For other books in this series visit our website: https://ideasroadshow.com/.