Exam 1 Flashcards
What is positive psychology
a science of positive aspects of human life, such as happiness, well-being and fl ourishing. It can be summarized in the words of its founder, Martin Seligman, as the ‘scientific study of optimal human functioning [that] aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive
Who can the historical roots be traced to?
the thoughts of ancient Greek philosophers. Aristotle believed that there was a unique daimon, or spirit, within each individual that guides us to pursue things that are right for us
What are the historical roots?
Prevention & wellness, post enlightenment, moral philosophy, ancient greeks, Aristotle, allport, humanistic psychology (Rogers Maslow)
Major Figure
Carl Jung, with his individuation, or ‘becoming all that one can be’, concept ; Maria Jahoda, concerned with defi ning positive mental health ; and Gordon Allport, interested in individual maturity , while the matters of fl ourishing and well-being were raised in the work on prevention and wellness enhancement
What is Humanistic psychology
. This movement placed central emphasis on the growth and authentic self of an individual. Humanistic psychologists were critical of pathology-oriented approaches to a human being. The most famous among them were Carl Rogers, who introduced the concept of the fully functioning person, and Abraham Maslow, who emphasized self-actualization.
New era of positive psychology
the ‘scientific study of optimal human functioning [that] aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive’
Broaden and build theory
developed by Barbara Fredrickson, shows that positive affective experiences contribute to and have a long-lasting effect on our personal growth and development
What is the value of positive emotions
(a) Positive emotions broaden our thought-action repertoires First, positive emotions broaden our attention and thinking, which means that we have more positive thoughts and a greater variety of them. When we are experiencing positive emotions, such as joy or interest, we are more likely to be creative, to see more opportunities, to be open to relationships with others, to play, to be more fl exible and open-minded.
(b) Positive emotions undo negative emotions It’s hard to experience both positive and negative emotions simultaneously; thus a deliberate experience of positive emotions at times when Your Emotions and You 11 negative emotions are dominant can serve to undo their lingering effects. Mild joy and contentment can eliminate the stress experienced at a physiological level.
(c) Positive emotions enhance resilience Enjoyment, happy playfulness, contentment, satisfaction, warm friendship, love and affection, all enhance resilience and the ability to cope, while negative emotions, in contrast, decrease them. Positive emotions can enhance problem-focused coping and reappraisal, or infuse negative events with positive meaning, all of which facilitate fast bouncing back after an unpleasant event.
(d) Positive emotions build psychological repertoire Far from having only a momentary effect, positive emotions help to build important physical, intellectual, social and psychological resourcesthat are enduring, even though the emotions themselves are temporary. For example, the positive emotions associated with play can build physical abilities; self-mastery and enjoyable times with friends increase social skills.
(e) Positive emotions can trigger an upward developmental spiral
other praising emotions
refer to a family of positive emotions that a rise in response to the virtue,skill, or excellence of others.▪ Elevation▪ Gratitude▪ Admiration▪ Prestige
Negatives to positives emotions
Ratio of 3:1 or below* Experiencing positivity at above 8:1 can have counter productive effects.
Duchenne smile
has been regarded as an objective measure of genuine happiness/positive emotions
What is emotional intelligence?
The capacity to recognize and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others close to us
How to improve emotional intelligence
Expenditure of energy (e.g. physical exercise) * Cognitive effort (e.g. giving yourself a ‘pep-talk’)
- Active mood management (such as relaxation and music) * Social interactions * Pleasant distractions (e.g. hobbies, shopping, errands)
emotional contagion
a form of social contagion that involves the spontaneous spread of emotions and related behaviors. Such emotional convergence can happen from one person to another, or in a larger group
Benefits of positive emotions
upbeat mental state and improved health, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels, and longer life.
Optimists
have a generalized sense of confidence about the future, characterized by their broad expectancy that outcomes are likely to be positive. Leads to better physical health
