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Appreciative Joy: A Critical Review of Empirical Research

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaodan Gu

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Xianglong Zeng

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Tian P. S. Oei

    (the University of Queensland)

Abstract

Appreciative joy refers to feeling happy for others with appreciative and unenvious attitudes and is emphasized in Buddhist and Chinese culture. Empirical studies on appreciative joy have recently appeared in multiple disciplines in psychology, and it is time to summarize their findings and potential limitations. In terms of interpersonal attitudes, studies have supported that appreciative joy and appreciative joy meditation (AJM) activate altruism, promote cooperation, counter envy and influence interpersonal perceptions. As for subjective well-being, studies have consistently supported appreciative joy and AJM contribute to positive emotions, but the arousal dimension of positive emotions is still under debate. The effects of appreciative joy and AJM on other aspects of subjective well-being, as well as the underlying mechanisms, require more investigation. The prevalence of this trait across cultures and its association with emotional attachment also point to its role in ethics, virtue, and the evolution of human beings. Future studies need to develop a specific paradigm to better induce and validate appreciative joy in addition to AJM to research appreciative joy in system-informed and cross-cultural ways, and to develop theories to explain the mechanisms underlying the effects of appreciative joy.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaodan Gu & Xianglong Zeng & Tian P. S. Oei, 2023. "Appreciative Joy: A Critical Review of Empirical Research," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1303-1318, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00620-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00620-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sue Kraus & Sharon Sears, 2009. "Measuring the Immeasurables: Development and Initial Validation of the Self-Other Four Immeasurables (SOFI) Scale Based on Buddhist Teachings on Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 92(1), pages 169-181, May.
    2. Anthony Salerno & Juliano Laran & Chris Janiszewski & Darren W Dahl & Linda L Price & Cait Lamberton, 2019. "The Bad Can Be Good: When Benign and Malicious Envy Motivate Goal Pursuit," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 46(2), pages 388-405.
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