Nostalgia motivates pursuit of important goals by increasing meaning in life

This research focused on existential and motivational implications of the emotion of nostalgia. Nostalgia (relative to control) increased meaning in life, which, in turn, galvanised intentions to pursue one's most important goal (Experiment 1) and to pursue one's most important, but not le...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of social psychology 2018-03, Vol.48 (2), p.209-216
Main Authors: Sedikides, Constantine, Cheung, Wing‐Yee, Wildschut, Tim, Hepper, Erica G., Baldursson, Einar, Pedersen, Bendt
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Emotions
goal pursuit
Life control
management of goal pursuit
Meaning
meaning in life
Motivation
Nostalgia
Positive emotions
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Summary:This research focused on existential and motivational implications of the emotion of nostalgia. Nostalgia (relative to control) increased meaning in life, which, in turn, galvanised intentions to pursue one's most important goal (Experiment 1) and to pursue one's most important, but not least important, goal (Experiment 2). The basic pattern held in two cultures (British and Danish) independently of positive affect. This is the first evidence that nostalgia has specific motivational consequences (i.e., pursuit of more, but not less, important goals) and transmits these consequences via meaning in life. Also, this is the first evidence that meaning is associated with specific motivational consequences. Discussion considers the relevance of the findings for the emotion and motivation literatures.
ISSN:0046-2772
1099-0992
DOI:10.1002/ejsp.2318