title: Past Forward: Nostalgia as a Motivational Force.
abstract: Nostalgia has endured a negative reputation, being branded an unhealthy preoccupation with one's past. This reputation is unwarranted. Nostalgia has remarkable implications for one's future. It strengthens approach orientation, raises optimism, evokes inspiration, boosts creativity, and kindles prosociality. Far from reflecting escapism from the present, nostalgia potentiates an attainable future.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Self and Identity, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. Electronic address: cs2@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Constantine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sedikides
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Self and Identity, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. Electronic address: R.T.Wildschut@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wildschut
mesh_terms: D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009042:Motivation; D000072458:Orientation, Spatial; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception
keywords: creativity; inspiration; motivation; nostalgia; optimism; prosociality