IPPA WC 2023 The impact of novelty on positive emotion in shared experiences (#236)
Background: In our effort to develop the theory of shared experience and well-being, we have conducted several research projects including this project which addresses the link between novelty in shared experiences and positive emotion. Previous work presented at IPPA found the valence of emotions increases through stages of the extraordinary experience typology (Duerden, et al., 2018; Hill, et al., 2019) and feelings of relatedness correlate positively with positive emotions and negatively with negative emotions during shared experiences (Hill, et al., 2021). Novelty has recently captured the interest of researchers studying tourism experiences (Mitas & Bastiaansen, 2018; Skavronskaya, et al., 2019). Novelty is defined within psychology as the quality of not being experienced or encountered previously (Barto, et al., 2013).
Aims: This study measured positive emotions felt during international travelers shared experiences over an extended stay in London and the novelty of those experiences.
Method: The data set consists of 328 shared experiences had by 41 travelers across eight unique structured experiences. Emotion was measured using Frederickson’s Positivity Self-Test and novelty was objectively measured using a 4-item Guttman scale of novel country, place, activity-type, and specific activity and a 10-point subjective perceived novelty question.
Results: Pearson’s correlation found objective novelty (r=.313) and subjective perceived novelty (r=.596) were both positively correlated with total positive emotion and these correlations were significant. The subjective perceived novelty measure was a better predictor of positive emotion than the objective 4-item Guttman novelty scale.
Conclusion: This study affirms the importance of novelty in positive emotion felt during shared experience and merits a place in the development of the theory of shared experience and well-being. Our next study will seek to integrate the various determinants to positive emotion in shared experience in a broadened multi-variate hypothesis testing project that will consider experience impact, connection between participants, and novelty on positive emotion and well-being.
- Duerden, M. D., Lundberg, N. R., Ward, P., Taniguchi, S. T., Hill, B., Widmer, M. A., & Zabriskie, R. (2018). From ordinary to extraordinary: A framework of experience types. Journal of Leisure Research, 49(3–5), 196–216.
- Hill, B. J., Lundberg, N., Park, M., & Glazier, R. (2019) Exploring experiences and emotions associated with transformative, meaningful, memorable, and ordinary experiences. Paper presented at the International Positive Psychology Association 2019 Congress, Melbourne, Australia.
- Hill, B. J., Freeman, P., Agate, S., & Lundberg, N. (2021) The influence of relationships on emotions in shared experiences. Paper presented at the International Positive Psychology Association 2021 Congress, Virtual Conference.
- Mitas, O., & Bastiaansen, M. (2018). Novelty: A mechanism of tourists’ enjoyment. Annals of Tourism Research, 72, 98–108.
- Skavronskaya, L., Scott, N., Moyle, B., Le, D., Hadinejad, A., Zhang, R., & Shakeela, A. (2017). Cognitive psychology and tourism research: State of the art. Tourism Review, 72(2), 221–237.
- Barto, A., Mirolli, M., & Baldassarre, G. (2013). Novelty or surprise? Frontiers in Psychology, 4(907), 1–15.
- Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Positive emotions, Relationships