Positive approach assumptions

Question 1

assumption 1 state?

Answer 1

acknowledgement of free will

Question 2

assumption 1 explain?

Answer 2

• According to Seligman, happiness is not due to egens or luck
• S suggests humans have free will over our lives and emotions
• the assumption is here is that we can CHOOSE to recognise our own strengths and we can CHOOSE to do things that make us happy and which help us feel better if our mood is low
• we can use this free will to minimise negativity

Question 3

1- e.g.?

Answer 3

• diener and Seligman (2002) found that students who CHOSE to use their free will to invest time in their fam and friends had the strongest relationships and were happier
• also found a negative correlation between happiness and depression

Question 4

assumption 2 state?

Answer 4

the authenticity of goodness and excellence

Question 5

2 - explain?

Answer 5

• previously psychologists have focused on negative states of mind - anxiety, stress
• seligman (2002) suggetss that a problem in psychological research has been the belief that traits such as happiness have been viewed as less authentic than negative states
• key idea - feelings of happiness and goodness = just as natural so psychologists should be studying these pos states of mind just as much

Question 6

2- e.g.?

Answer 6

• • S argues we each have ‘signature strengths’
• in order to be happy and change our lives, we need to understand how to develop these traits in order for an individual to achieve goodness and excellence. these will provide a buffer to protect the individual from suffering excessively when facing diff life events

Question 7

3 - state?

Answer 7

focus on the good life

Question 8

3 - explain+ examples?

Answer 8

• acc to pos app, 3 stages to leading happy n full life
• starting pount = pleasant life
• once this achieved = ppl should strive twrds good life - where we pursue activities that pos absorb and engage us
• 3 elements to good life -
  
  • 1 = pos connections to others (developing love &trust)
  • 2 = developing individual + traits such as courage
    -3 = fous on developing life regulation qualities to help
    us control our behaviour and accomplish goals
• once good life achieved, ppl can strie to lead most fulfilling life we can = meaningful life