Nostalgia and the positive valence system

According to the regulatory model of nostalgia, nostalgia activates the positive valence system to countermand negative emotionality. However, no research has systematically examined whether nostalgia influences the diverse manifestations of the positive valence system. We addressed this issue in two preregistered studies (ΣN = 543). Participants completed trait nostalgia scales and the Positive Valence System Scale, comprising the following seven constructs: reward valuation, reward expectancy, effort valuation, action selection, reward anticipation, initial reward responsiveness, and reward satiation. In both studies, trait nostalgia was positively associated with all positive valence system constructs. When nostalgia was experimentally induced (Study 2), it increased reward valuation, action selection, and initial responsiveness. The results clarify nostalgia’s impact on the positive valence system and the implications of the regulatory model. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)