Abstract: The number of studies that concerned with the effect of emotional states on executive functioning has been constantly growing for the last decade. While negative emotions (particularly anxious and depressive state) have been demonstrated to impair the efficiency of executive functioning, the mechanisms by which positive emotions influence executive functioning remains unclear. The backward status of research into the effects of positive emotions may largely have its roots on the weakness of related theoretical assumptions. In view of this, two newly emerging theories on positive emotions were introduced, The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions and The Motivational Dimensional Model of Affect. They both brought forward some theoretical perspectives which may help us understand the possible effect of positive emotions on executive functioning.

Key words: negative/positive emotions, executive functioning, The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions, The Motivational Dimensional Model of Affect