Thrash & Elliot (2004) Flashcards
(22 cards)
Paper’s aim
Examine core characteristics, component processes, antecedents, and function of state inspiration. Demonstrate that inspiration may be decomposed into separate processes related to being inspired “by” and being inspired “to”
Daily inspiration
Triggered by illumination among individuals in receptive engagement
Activated positive affect (PA)
Triggered by reward salience among individuals high in approach temperament. It is the strongest known correlate of trait inspiration and represents a basic appetitive motivational construct. It involves feelings of energy, confidence, and enthusiasm and is posited to arise in response to cues of the attainability of, or progress toward, desired goal objects
Inspiration
Has three core characteristics; transcendence, evocation, and motivation. It is conceptualised as an appetitive motivational state
Transcendence
Refers to the fact that inspiration orients one toward something that is better or more important than one’s usual concerns. One sees better possibilities
Evocation
Refers to the fact that inspiration is evoked and unwilled. One does not feel directly responsible for becoming inspired
Motivation
To express or make manifest that which is newly apprehended
Inspired by
Process involving an appreciation of and accommodation to an evocative object. Associated with transcendence and denial of responsibility. It is possible to be inspired by without being inspired to
Inspired to
Process involving motivation to extend the qualities exemplified in the evocative object. Associated with appetitive motivation
Creative inspiration
Often associated with “illumination” or “insight,” in which ideas emerge into awareness
Illumination
Refers to an epistemic event in which one comes to see better possibilities
Openness to aesthetics
A facet of openness to experience and reflects a sensitivity to intrinsic value
Absorption
Represents a capacity for engrossed attention and cognitive restructuring
Self-forgetfulness
A component of self-transcendence and represents a capacity to become fascinated by and focused on one thing
Reward salience
The perception that something desired is attainable
Approach temperament
A general neurobiological sensitivity to positive/desirable stimuli that is accompanied by perceptual vigilance for, affective reactivity to, and a behavioral predisposition toward such stimuli. It is reflected in three personality dimensions; extraversion, positive emotionality, and BAS
Extraversion
Characterised by sociability, activity, and a tendency to experience positive emotion
Positive emotionality
A tendency to experience positive emotion and to engage life in a positive manner
Behavioural activation system (BAS)
A motivational system that facilitates approach behaviour and positive affect
Receptive engagament trait
A more positive predictor of the frequency of inspiration than of activated PA
Double dissociation between inspiration and activated PA
Show that antecedents of inspiration are specific to inspiration rather than applicable to appetitive states more generally. They also show that inspiration cannot be explained by processes implicated in other appetitive states
Transmission function
Involves an illuminating trigger object and a target object toward which the inspiring qualities are extended. It may also satisfy needs, particularly higher human longings, e.g. creativity, meaning, and spiritual truth
It also has broader sociocultural implications as transcendent knowledge is typically passed between parties
