• DOI:10.1037/a0032850
• Corpus ID: 644769

The complex dynamics of wishful thinking: the critical positivity ratio.

@article{Brown2013TheCD,
  title={The complex dynamics of wishful thinking: the critical positivity ratio.},
  author={Nicholas J. L. Brown and Alan D. Sokal and Harris L. Friedman},
  journal={The American psychologist},
  year={2013},
  volume={68 9},
  pages={
          801-13
        }
}

• Nicholas J. L. Brown, A. Sokal, H. Friedman
• Published 15 July 2013
• Mathematics
• The American psychologist

We examine critically the claims made by Fredrickson and Losada (2005) concerning the construct known as the "positivity ratio." We find no theoretical or empirical justification for the use of differential equations drawn from fluid dynamics, a subfield of physics, to describe changes in human emotions over time; furthermore, we demonstrate that the purported application of these equations contains numerous fundamental conceptual and mathematical errors. The lack of relevance of these equations and their incorrect application lead us to conclude that Fredrickson and Losada's claim to have demonstrated the existence of a critical minimum positivity ratio of 2.9013 is entirely unfounded. More generally, we urge future researchers to exercise caution in the use of advanced mathematical tools, such as nonlinear dynamics, and in particular to verify that the elementary conditions for their valid application have been met.