1.5.3 Strengths & Weaknesses Positive Flashcards
(S - real life applications) the positive approach has led to many what?
Useful and successful real life applications
(S - real life applications) e.g. Schools are embracing what?
Positive psychology curriculums
(S - real life applications) what activities do positive psychology curriculums involve?
Mediation assemblies designed to decrease stress and improve concentration improving student wellbeing
(S - real life applications) e.g. The developments of mindfulness which is s therapy involving gaining what?
Control of thoughts through meditation and mindful breathing decreasing depression and increasing happiness
(S - real life applications) mindfulness has gone on to influence what?
Education
Work
Health
Making people happier
(S - real life applications) This is a strength as it helps who be happier?
Individuals
Organisations
Communities
(S - Free will) the positive approach is a free will approach saying we have choices and what?
Control over our lives to grow and develop signature strengths
(S - Free will) e.g. A key assumption of the positive approach is what?
Free Will
We have free will to recognise and develops our strengths and direct emotions to increase happiness
(S - Free will) e.g. Free will - people can choose to engage in activities that make them what?
Happy such as spending time with family
(S - Free will) this is a strength as it means anyone can be what?
Happy
And unhappy people can change their happiness
(S - Free will) it is not deterministic saying behaviour is what?
Controlled by other factors giving people an excuse not to take responsibility for their wellbeing
(W - Free will) weakness - but it could be viewed as a weakness as those who are unhappy are blamed for what?
Not taking control of their situation - but this is not always straight forward e.g. Depression
(W - Free will) why does free will make the approach less scientific?
Science is deterministic
(W - Eurocentric) the approach has been said to be Eurocentric what does this mean?
Research based on western societies
(W - Eurocentric) e.g. The approach is based on culture bound western ideas centred on what?
Individual autonomy and fulfilment
(W - Eurocentric) e.g. Individualistic ideas such as what?
Seeking a good life
(W - Eurocentric) e.g. But non western cultures are more what?
Collectivist
(W - Eurocentric) e.g. Some societies don’t put the same emphasis on achieving happiness such as?
Japan or Iran
There is the belief happiness is followed by unhappiness so they don’t strive for it
(W - Eurocentric) and the research tools such as happiness questionnaires are often developed where?
In the west
(W - Eurocentric) this is a weakness as it suggests the approach is culturally what?
Biased and not valid in all cultures - we are ignoring important cultural differences
(W - humanistic psychology) the positive assumptions are based upon what?
Humanistic psychology
(W - humanistic psychology) mindfulness is based in what?
Ancient Buddhist techniques
(W - humanistic psychology) e.g. One assumptions of the humanistic approach says we should research what?
Areas meaningful and important to human existence and not neglect them because they are too difficult
(W - humanistic psychology) e.g. This assumption links to which positive approach assumption?
Authenticity of goodness and excellence - shouldn’t neglect happy states
(W - humanistic psychology) e.g. The humanistic approach says psychology should be applied to do what?
Enrich human life
(W - humanistic psychology) the idea psychology should be used to enrich human life links to what?
The positive idea of developing signature strengths to improve happiness
And mindfulness to create conditions for contentment
(W - humanistic psychology) this is a weakness as it means the positive approach is not what?
Unique or innovative - isn’t telling us anything we don’t already know
(W - humanistic psychology) the appropriation of mindfulness has angered who?
Some buddhists who feel their religion is misrepresented
(W - humanistic psychology) but positive psychologists claim they are doing what?
Advancing the humanistic approach with a more scientific study of wellbeing
