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Passion for A Cause

For a number of people, the passionate activity they engage in is related to a cause or an aspiration that transcends the self and has implications for society. Results from research suggest that in the long run, harmonious passion may lead to the most desirable forms of behavior toward reaching the cause and eventually to best serve the cause. While it may help the cause to some extent by leading to the adoption of effective and acceptable behaviors, obsessive passion may at the same time hurt the cause by promoting the use of unacceptable extreme behaviors.

References:

• St-Louis, A.C., Carbonneau, N., & Vallerand, R.J. (2016). Passion for a cause: How it affects health and well-being. Journal of Personality, 84, 263-276.
• Gousse-Lessard, A-S., Vallerand, R.J., & Carbonneau, N. (2013). The Role of Passion in Mainstream and Radical Behaviors: A Look at the Environmental Cause. Journal of Environmental Psychology.
• Rip, B., & Vallerand, R.J. (2007). Passion and politics: The quest for Québec sovereignty, identity threat, and the politics of reconciliation and revenge. Paper presented at the Canadian Psychological Association convention, Ottawa, June 2007.