A new hope induction

Abstract

The experience of hope predicts a host of positive outcomes. However, to date, the psychology of hope has paid little attention to hope as an emotion, focusing instead on hope as a sense of effective goal pursuit. Seven studies (N = 3,357) tested various manipulations intended to induce hopeful feelings distinct from general positive mood. Images of infant's faces and tree saplings were found to successfully induce hopeful feelings, even when controlling for happiness, compared with adult faces or full-grown trees, respectively. Infant objects, paintings, or puppies did not produce the same effects. We discuss the necessity of studying the emotion of hope and potential directions with such a hopeful induction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).