ABSTRACT
This chapter distinguishes several ways in which people savor positive events, thereby identifying the structure of savoring responses. Rationale for undertaking the task of differentiating types of savoring strategies is belief that it is difficult to formulate general theoretical propositions about the processes of savoring without specifying the kinds of savoring responses a person is demonstrating. In particular, experimental research is needed in which people are randomly assigned to engage in specific types of savoring strategies in response to specific positive events, with their emotional reactions measured during and after the events. A great deal of empirical evidence has accrued concerning differences in the ways males and females think about themselves and the world around them, experience and express emotions, and engage in social behavior in their everyday lives. The chapter describes the development of a multidimensional self-report instrument to measure ways or dimensions of savoring, and presents evidence concerning the discriminant validity of the instrument.
