Factor Structure of the “Top Ten” Positive Emotions of Barbara Fredrickson

In order to contribute to the consolidation in the field of Positive Psychology, we reinvestigated the factor structure of Fredrickson’s (2013) top ten positive emotions. Former research in experimental settings resulted in a three-cluster solution, which we tested with exploratory and confirmatory methodology against different factor models. Within our naturalistic and non-experimental data (N = 312), statistical evidence is presented, advocating for a single factor model of the ten positive emotions. Different possible reasons for the deviating results are discussed, as well as the theoretical significance to various subfields in Positive Psychology (eg. therapeutical interventions). Furthermore, the special role of awe within the study and its implications for further research are discussed.