Introduction

Question 1

What was the problem with traditional psychology
Who changed this view? (2)

Answer 1

Focused too much on a negative and deficit view

Martin Seligman (dog experiment w/ learned helplessness in depression) and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (flow state)

Question 2

Positive psychology + its aim
- 3 pillars

Answer 2

Focuses on uncovering ppl’s strengths and promoting positive functioning;
Deals w/ positive exps, dispositions, contexts, and processes in individuals and groups that facilitate well-bring, achievement, harmony
- Aim: Balance traditional deficit view with info that tells us human strenghts

• Positive subjective exps (that bring up emotions like happiness)
• Positive individual traits (personality, self-esteem, gratitude)
• Positive institutions (how we make them more positive)

Question 3

What is positive according to:
- Choice
- Values
- Subjective experiences

Answer 3

Choice:
- Assumes we make rational choices and consistently choose what’s positive
- Choices reveal preferences that are genetically determined (from evolution)
- Problems: We don’t always make choices we want/are necessary over preference; We sometimes make automatic choices; We’re not always rational
—
Values:
- Overarching principles/desired end states; Tells us what’s good/right
- Differs between individualistic vs collectivist, religious, or personal
—
Subjective experience:
- What is pleasant is good

Question 4

Ancient greek moral theory
- Eudaimonia vs Hedonia

(Values)

Answer 4

Eudaimonia: Happiness thru living well, emphasis on virtue
- Idea of virtuous person and virtuous life by Plato (virtue is root to happiness; by having traits and being involved in activity)
- Idea of virtuous activity by Aristotle (You don’t need to be virtuous person, just live virtuous life)
—
Hedonia: Happiness through pleasure
- Static pleasures by Epicureans (peace, tranquility, calm)
- Bodily pleasure by Cyrenaics (Momentary, what makes you happy in the moment)

Question 5

Empirical approach to defining positive psychology
- Two major themes identified by Hart and Sasso’s (2011) empirical approach to defining positive psych

Answer 5

Empirical approach looks for commonalities in definitions of positive psych across multiple published articles

Positive psychology as
1) the study of virtues
2) involving the good life