Introduction Flashcards
Abraham Maslow’s Contribution to Positive Psychology
- coined the term positive psychology
- identified the shortcomings in the field as it was too negatively/clinically focused
Martin Seligman’s Contribution to Positive Psychology
- theory of learned helplessness
- mental health was not just an absence of illness
- mental health is truly about focusing on what makes people happy
- PERMA model
Sonja Lyubomirsky’s Contribution to Positive Psychology
- “The How of Happiness”
- Happiness myths
- Happiness pie
How is the field of positive psychology defined? How and why did it come into being?
- definition: what can we pull from the full range of emotion in life
- work of Maslow, Seligman, and Lyubomirsky
- 3 Pillars of Flourishing: Perspective, People, Power
What is hedonic adaptation and how does it work?
Baseline of happiness and humans all return to this baseline despite the ups and downs of life
Know the main points and conclusions of the Victor Frankl excerpts.
- Meaning of life comes from purposeful work, love, and courage in the face of difficulty
- The last of man’s freedoms is our ability to choose our attitude
- Love is essential
Know the main points of James Allen’s As a Man Thinketh, and the relationship between actions and results.
You are what you think
Man’s mind is a garden
Good thoughts lead to good actions Body obeys the mind
- Purpose helps us be resilient
- Sacrifice human thoughts
- Dream lofty dreams and you will become them
- Calmness of mind is a result of self-control
Know which happiness strategies were discussed in the Tal-Ben Shahar video
- The more we pursue happiness, the less happy we will become (Happiness Paradox)
- Long term depression and relapse for depression rates are lower for exercise compared to medication
- Improvement to attributed to themselves rather than the medication
- Outcomes for exercise vs medication are very similar, both are needed
Know and understand Dr. Warren’s Three P’s of Human Flourishing.
- Perspective
How we view ourselves and the world
People - People
Central pillar, supportive relationships, interconnectedness - Power
Personal growth, progress, overcoming challenges, vitality
What are the main arguments of Helen Keller’s essay?
- We don’t appreciate something until it’s gone
- The eyes of seeing people become accustomed to their surroundings even though they see the spectacular
- She wants to enjoy human achievement
- Use your eyes as if tomorrow you were stricken blind
Three Points of Unconditional Acceptance (Tal Ben Shahir Video)
when we accept painful emotions, they weaken. This is active acceptance.
- Feel the emotion, then chose to change it’s course. It is okay to have fear, but don’t let that control you. Accept that you feel fear and work to overcome it.
How to Tame the Wild Mind
- Mindfulness is like looking at a movie screen
- Take step back and notice when you’re getting lost in a story -MINDFULNESS HELPS OBSERVE THOUGHTS WITH INTEREST AND OPENNESS
- Space between thoughts, see if they are serving you
