Lecture 19 - Positive Psychology & Physical Activity

Question 1

what is positive psychology

Answer 1

the scientific study of optimal human functioning that “aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive”
- positive psychology is concerned with strength, not just weakness and is interested in building the best things in life not just repairing the worst

Question 2

up until recently, psychology was thought to have three main tasks… what are they?

Answer 2

• to cure mental illness
• to study exceptional individuals
• to enhance the well-being of the population by correcting negative facets

Question 3

what are the key concepts of interest in positive psychology

Answer 3

• optimism
• resilience
• enhancing strengths, which have been found to enable the psychologically healthy population to flourish

Question 4

benefits of being happy

Answer 4

happy ppl tend to…
- be more optimistic
- live longer
- be less vulnerable to illness
- be more socially giving
- are less hostile and less self-centered
thus, enhancing mental well-being within a population produces benefits not only at a micro (individual) level but at a macro (community and society) level

Question 5

what has to be done/achieved for optimal functioning to occur

Answer 5

we need to function at our optimal psychological and physiological state
- having a healthy mind within a healthy body is not a new concept but the increased knowledge we know has led to the development of several potential mechanisms which can explain this phenomenon

Question 6

what is one of the most influential theories in positive psychology

Answer 6

the importance of positive emotions for well being
- while negative emotions allow us to narrow in on the dangers and alert us to risk, positive emotions have been shown to help us “think outside the box” and become more open and creative

Question 7

explain the protective effects of positive emotions

Answer 7

they have a protective effect meaning that the accumulation of positive emotions can build resilient psychological tendencies
- studies show that individuals who feel positive emotions are able to bounce back psychologically from adversity

Question 8

explain the link between positive emotions and PA

Answer 8

the link can be illustrated through the feel-good effects of PA participation
- the extreme positive end of this is a runners high but generally, PA participation has consistently been associated with positive mood

Question 9

3 psychological aspects that PA promotes

Answer 9

1. it promotes resilience
   - which refers to the flexibility in response to changing situational demands, and the ability to bounce back from negative experiences (roll with the punches)
   - also has been suggested to be a key process in buffering individuals from depression and anxiety
2. promotes self acceptance
   - which focusses on the need for individuals to accept and be happy with themselves which is regarded as essential for mental well-being
   - research shows repeated PA demonstrates higher self-esteem and well-being
3. promotes autonomy
   - refers to the ability to feel independent and believe that one has the choice over their life decisions
   - ppl need to feel that they have influence over what happens to them and that they are not controlled by external forces
   4ish. it also promotes self efficacy (a persons belief that they can do a certain task)