Inspiration: Core Characteristics, Component Processes, Antecedents, and Function.
Abstract
The authors examined the core characteristics, component processes, antecedents, and function of state inspiration. In Studies 1 and 2, inspiration was contrasted with baseline experience and activated positive affect (PA) using a vivid recall methodology. Results supported the tripartite conceptualization of inspiration. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that inspiration may be decomposed into separate processes related to being inspired "by" and being inspired "to." Study 3 found that daily inspiration is triggered by illumination among individuals high in receptive engagement, whereas activated PA is triggered by reward salience among individuals high in approach temperament. Approach temperament was also implicated in being inspired "to." Inspiration and activated PA appear to serve different functions: transmission and acquisition, respectively.
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Evidence links social connectedness to cognitive openness and greater engagement with the environment, both antecedents to inspiration.
“Hence, evidence links, albeit indirectly, social connectedness to cognitive openness and greater engagement with the environment, both of which were identified by Thrash and Elliot (2004) as antecedents to inspiration.”
From Nostalgia-Evoked Inspiration: Mediating Mechanisms and Motivational Implications (2015) · cites this paper as Thrash and Elliot (2004)
Environmental engagement and cognitive openness are antecedents to inspiration.
“Indeed, Thrash and Elliot (2004) identified environmental engagement and cognitive openness as antecedents to inspiration.”
From Nostalgia-Evoked Inspiration: Mediating Mechanisms and Motivational Implications (2015) · cites this paper as Thrash and Elliot (2004)
Inspiration is resistant to volitional control.
“Inspiration is resistant to volitional control (Thrash & Elliot, 2004).”
From Nostalgia-Evoked Inspiration: Mediating Mechanisms and Motivational Implications (2015) · cites this paper as Thrash & Elliot, 2004
Inspiration involves evocation, transcendence, and an approach orientation; it can be general or specific.
“We defined inspiration as an experience that involves evocation (triggering by a stimulus beyond the self), transcendence (moving away from the routine and becoming aware of possibilities), and an approach orientation (feeling ready for enacting a new idea or plan; Thrash & Elliot, 2003, 2004).Inspiration can be general (”
From Nostalgia-Evoked Inspiration: Mediating Mechanisms and Motivational Implications (2015) · cites this paper as Thrash & Elliot, 2004
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“Previous research has documented a link between activated PA and cues of reward, goal progress, and positive events more generally (e.g., Gable, Reis, & Elliot, 2000; Larsen & Ketelaar, 1991).”
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Positive Emotions Broaden and Build
Fredrickson, B. L. (2013) · Advances in Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-407236-7.00001-2 · Cited by 1,907 · see citing works
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Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Arndt, J., & Routledge, C. (2006) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.91.5.975 · Cited by 1,252 · see citing works
Augmented reality marketing: How mobile AR-apps can improve brands through inspiration
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Nostalgia-Evoked Inspiration: Mediating Mechanisms and Motivational Implications
Stephan, E., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Cheung, W.-Y., Routledge, C., & Arndt, J. (2015) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167215596985 · Cited by 148 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Thrash, T. M., & Elliot, A. J.
- Affiliations
- William & Mary (US)
- University of Rochester (US)
- ORCID
- Elliot, Andrew J.
- Venue
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Published
- 2004
- Volume
- 87
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 957-973
- ISSN
- 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1315
- OpenAlex
- W2051617188
- Cited by
- 455
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 38 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 67 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 2.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Creativity in Education and Neuroscience
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Psychological and Educational Research Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- inspiration, reward salience, illumination
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Humans, Language, Male, Models, Psychological, Motivation, Psychology, Self Concept, Social Perception, Narration
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