Nostalgia-Evoked Inspiration: Mediating Mechanisms and Motivational Implications

Six studies examined the nostalgia–inspiration link and its motivational implications. in study 1,nostalgia proneness was positively associated with inspiration frequency and intensity. in studies 2 and 3,the recollection of nostalgic (vs. ordinary) experiences increased both general inspiration and specific inspiration to engage in exploratory activities. in study 4,serial mediational analyses supported a model in which nostalgia increases social connectedness,which subsequently fosters self-esteem,which then boosts inspiration. in study 5,a rigorous evaluation of this serial mediational model (with a novel nostalgia induction controlling for positive affect) reinforced the idea that nostalgia-elicited social connectedness increases self-esteem,which then heightens inspiration. study 6 extended the serial mediational model by demonstrating that nostalgia-evoked inspiration predicts goal pursuit (intentions to pursue an important goal). nostalgia spawns inspiration via social connectedness and attendant self-esteem. in turn,nostalgia-evoked inspiration bolsters motivation. © 2015,© 2015 by the society for personality and social psychology,inc.