MORES Glossary

Joy

/dʒɔɪ/

Joy is a basic, self-directed positive feeling that makes you feel better, happier, and more satisfied with yourself. It is a powerful and pleasant emotional state, but short-lived: we feel joyful in the moment—a moment of realisation, an event we have just witnessed, an interaction we have just had. This feature distinguishes it from happiness, a mental state associated with a broader sense of life satisfaction. Joy is also self-evaluative. We feel it when we believe we are in a good situation or just lucky. Because of that, joy is key to regulating emotional states, as it encourages positive behaviour that may be emotionally fulfilling. Yet, just like love, joy can be blind: in its downside, it can give you false hope or a false sense of security, especially if your expectations are too high or you misunderstand others.

Joy can come from being alone and having a good time, but it is often better with others. Timm Beichelt, MORES co-investigator at European University Viadrina, explains in a study published in 2021 that the most basic source of joy is the positive experience of community relationships, where love and emotional closeness are shown and returned. Joy is beneficial for the person and it brings people together, which makes this emotion relevant for research in the MORES project. Its ability to spread and show itself through smiling or laughing can make groups more cohesive and encourage people to do good things. In this way, joy is both a sign and a cause of social unity and group excitement.

Although a basic emotion, joy pairs with complex moral emotions such as pride, elevation, and gratitude. Not every joyful experience is moral in itself, but there is joy in every positive moral emotion expressed within groups. In public celebrations or moments of political achievement—such as the passing of landmark legislation or the defence of fundamental rights—joy becomes a bonding emotion. It connects individuals through a shared sense of moral affirmation, reminding people not only of what they have accomplished and why it matters for the community, but also of the emotional significance of those moments. Besides reinforcing group cohesion, these experiences of collective joy form lasting emotional memories.

Joy often appears in policy discourses. When environmental campaigns highlight community success stories or the beauty of nature, they spark a moment of joy; one aimed at fostering positive engagement and support for the cause. Joy is, after all, an important emotional resource for both personal growth and community life because it helps people deal with their emotions and fit in with others.