Debate Flashcards
What is the debate for the Positive approach?
The relevance of positive psychology in todays society
Why is postive pyschology in schools useful? (FOR)
Seligman et al (2009) - found that a positive psychology curriculum (PPC) can:
1) promote skills and strengths that are valued
2) produce measurable improvements in student well-being
3) facilitate student engagement and learning
Why is positive psychology in the workplace good? (FOR)
Reasearch shows that ‘Flow theory’ is key to workplace happiness , meaning that people are happiest when challanges and skills are high , if we have positive work environments , these situations will happen more often
How can positive psychology help health? (FOR)
Research followed 6,000 people aged 24-75 for 20 years, they found that participants with a high level of emotional vitality had reduced risk of CHD , if people are provided with ways to stay happy , it could be a benfit
How can positive psychology apply to lifestyle and leisure activities?
Research claims that people can improve their experience of flow and the quality of there lives by taking part of positive psychology-based events (e.g group walks) to improve their well being
Why is the data for the effectiveness of positive psychology unreliable? (AGAINST)
The studies used to support the effectiveness of the PPC have only been short-term research, Seligman et al (2009) admitted himself that the data gathered wasn’t sufficient to make conclusions
Why are the ideas of positive psychology in the workplace possibly irrelevant? (AGAINST)
The approach of ‘pick a job and you’ll never work a day in your life’ is (despite the positive approaches claims) not a new idea - Confusious 551 BC is credited. Positive psychology brings nothing new to the table
Why might positive lesuire and lifestyle activies not be acessable in all cuircumstances? (AGAINST)
People who work more may have to pick between working enough to survive and doing positive activities , it may not be available to all.
Why is the data regarding happiness and CHD risk flawed? (Health) (AGAINST)
Because variables werent maniplulated, cause and effect cant be observed (e.g healthier people may be happier) , so the data can’t be reliably used
