Nostalgia and the positive valence system
Nostalgia and the positive valence system
According to the regulatory model of nostalgia, nostalgia activates the positive valence system to countermand negative emotionality. However, no research has systematically examined whether nostalgia influences the diverse manifestations of the positive valence system. We addressed this issue in two preregistered studies (ΣN = 543). Participants completed trait nostalgia scales and the Positive Valence System Scale, comprising the following seven constructs: reward valuation, reward expectancy, effort valuation, action selection, reward anticipation, initial reward responsiveness, reward satiation. In both studies, trait nostalgia was positively associated with all positive valence system constructs. When nostalgia was experimentally induced (Study 2), it increased reward valuation, action selection, and initial responsiveness. The results clarify nostalgia’s impact on the positive valence system and the implications of the regulatory model.
Kelley, Nicholas J.
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Angus, Douglas J.
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Wildschut, Tim
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Sedikides, Constantine
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Kelley, Nicholas J.
445e767b-ad9f-44f2-b2c6-d981482bb90b
Angus, Douglas J.
0dbb939d-ace1-41a1-89be-8f0dfc307371
Wildschut, Tim
4452a61d-1649-4c4a-bb1d-154ec446ff81
Sedikides, Constantine
9d45e66d-75bb-44de-87d7-21fd553812c2
Kelley, Nicholas J., Angus, Douglas J., Wildschut, Tim and Sedikides, Constantine
(2025)
Nostalgia and the positive valence system.
Emotion.
(In Press)
Abstract
According to the regulatory model of nostalgia, nostalgia activates the positive valence system to countermand negative emotionality. However, no research has systematically examined whether nostalgia influences the diverse manifestations of the positive valence system. We addressed this issue in two preregistered studies (ΣN = 543). Participants completed trait nostalgia scales and the Positive Valence System Scale, comprising the following seven constructs: reward valuation, reward expectancy, effort valuation, action selection, reward anticipation, initial reward responsiveness, reward satiation. In both studies, trait nostalgia was positively associated with all positive valence system constructs. When nostalgia was experimentally induced (Study 2), it increased reward valuation, action selection, and initial responsiveness. The results clarify nostalgia’s impact on the positive valence system and the implications of the regulatory model.
Text
Nostalgia and Positive Valence System
- Accepted Manuscript
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Accepted/In Press date: 28 July 2025
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 504675
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/504675
ISSN: 1528-3542
PURE UUID: 4fe936a6-4991-4e5d-bafa-34c5d0d4f771
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Date deposited: 17 Sep 2025 16:51
Last modified: 18 Sep 2025 01:59
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Author:
Douglas J. Angus
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