Positive assumption authenticity of goodness and excellence

Question 1

Define what is meant by ‘authenticity of goodness & excellence’

Answer 1

This states that feelings such as happiness and goodness are just as natural and important as feelings of anxiety and stress and therefore should be paid just as much attention in therapy and research

Question 2

Explain what is meant by ‘authenticity of goodness & excellence’

Answer 2

Seligman believes we have innate behaviours he refers to as ‘signature stren gths.’ These are character strengths are most essential to who we hare. ​​

​The Values In Action Classification of Strengths is a system, which explores your virtues and strengths. There are six virtues in the Values In Action Classification system: ​Wisdom, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, Transcendence​

Focussing on traits that produce goodness and excellence in an individual and helping people develop these traits can help an individual build resilience and protect them from future mental health problems

Question 3

Examples for ‘authenticity of goodness & excellence’

Answer 3

Seligman (2001) argues that if each person has a set of core strengths that they apply and incorporate into their everyday life, the person will experience authentic happiness. ​

The strengths identified can then be checked against a set criteria to determine whether using these strengths increase happiness and well-being. ​

Some of these criteria include; a belief that the strength is one of your core attributes​, excitement about using the strength​, and a feeling that you will inevitably use the strength in many situations​.