(University of South Hampton)
The Future of Nostalgia
Nostalgia is a bittersweet, self-relevant, and social emotion. The content of nostalgic accounts features the self as protagonist, albeit embedded with close others into momentous occasions. Also, nostalgic content entails more expressions of positive than negative affect. The emotion has remarkable implications for one’s future. It promotes an approach (vs. avoidance) orientation. It raises optimism, and it does so by boosting social connectedness (a sense of support, belongingness, and acceptance) and subsequently lifting self-esteem. It increases creativity, and it does by bolstering openness to experience. It kindles prosociality, such as intentions to donate and actual monetary donating. And it strengthens intergroup contact. Far from reflecting escapism from the present, nostalgia potentiates a positive, attainable future.