Broaden-and-build
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The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions suggests that positive emotions function to take our minds off of immediate needs and stressors, and encourage novel, varied, and exploratory thoughts and actions. Positive emotions are typically transient and easily disturbed, and the thoughts and actions they lead to are rarely relevant to immediate survival. However, over time, this broadened behavioral repertoire does enhance survival -- curiosity about a landscape becomes valuable navigational knowledge; pleasant interactions with a stranger become a supportive friendship; aimless physical play becomes exercise and physical excellence.
The broaden-and-build theory is an exploration of the evolved function of positive emotions. It has substantial support from randomized controlled lab studies, survey research, and longitudinal intervention studies. It was developed by Barbara Fredrickson starting around 1998 and is commonly associated with positive psychology, though it predates the movement.
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