3:1 Positivity Ratio

3:1 Positivity Ratio Diagram Barbara Fredrickson identified the importance of having a 3 to 1 positivity ratio in order for people to flourish. Examples of positivity include feeling grateful, upbeat, liking someone or something, and expressing appreciation; while examples of negativity include feeling irritable, disliking someone or something, and expressing disdain.

As you can see from the Positive vs. Negative diagram (on the right), three positives (feeling grateful, feeling upbeat, liking someone) are needed for each negative (feeling irritable) to flourish, hence the 3:1 Positivity Ratio.

Additional Resources

The Positivity Ratio By Barbara Fredrickson,
The Greater Good Science Center
at UC Berkeley. Duration (8:43)
Points of Interest: 3:1 Positive to Negative Ratio;
How to Flourish in Life (0:00 to 6:05)