Positive Approach Assumptions Flashcards
Assumptions
> Acknowledgement of free will
Authenticity of goodness and excellence
Focus on ‘the good life’
Acknowledgement of free will
> believes humans are in charge of own emotions and have free will to change how they direct them
humans are self-directing, adaptive, good life can be experienced if we use our strengths and virtues to enhance our lives
Seligman = happiness isn’t result of good genes - result of recognising own strengths +developing them to make life better
Example - acknowledgement of free will
> Ed Diener - research into why people are happy
looked at ties students had to friends,family - measures in terms of time invested in relationships.
strongest ties = happier
also negative correlation between level of happiness + depression
L - we are in control or happiness - choose to engage in activities
Authenticity of goodness and excellence
> states that feelings of happiness and goodness are as natural as feelings of anxiety, stress = psychologists need to assign these +states of mind equal attention
Seligman - have inherent traits (kindness,generosity,humour) - need to nurture these to transform our lives
Authenticity of goodness and excellence - influence
> Influential in therapies
rather than trying to fix what’s wrong - it faciliates positive well-being, achieve fulfilment
offers diff way of alleviating mental illnesses = focusing on traits that produce goodness and excellence
Focus on ‘the good life’
> 3 desirable lives
to achieve good life need to develop strengths and virtues - as they are natural routes to gratification, help function
good life is combination of 3 elements
3 desirable lives
> The pleasant life
The good life
The meaningful life
The pleasant life
- happiness comes from pursuing positive emotions in relation to the past, present and future
The good life
happiness comes from pursuing activities that positively absorb and engage us
The meaningful life
happiness comes from a deep sense of fulfilment by living for a purpose much greater than oneself
3 elements to good life
- positive connection to others
- positive individual traits
- life regulation qualities
Positive connection to others
this encompasses out ability to love, trust enjoy happiness, forgive and develop spiritual connections with the self and others
positive individual traits
these may include personal qualities such as a sense of integrity, morality, creativity, bravery, courage and humility
life regulation qualities
these are qualities that we need to develop to regulate, monitor and control out behaviour in order to accomplish our goals. They may include a sense of autonomy, independence, faith in our decision making and wisdom to guide our behaviour
Relationship formation - authenticity of goodness and excellence
