Positive assumptions Flashcards
What are the three assumptions for the positive approach?
The good life, free will, authenticity of goodness and excellence.
Free will
-people have control over their emotions
-not a result of good luck or genetics
- we can use our strengths and skills to improve out lives, increase happiness
Example of free will
mindfulness meditation- individuals choose to exercise their free will, more conscious of present, increase well-being which leads to higher levels of happiness.
Authenticity of goodness and excellence
- feelings of goodness and excellence are just as valid as feelings of stress and anxiety
- psychology traditionally focuses on pathology ( whats wrong with people) - positive approach aims to change this custom
-Christopher Peterson (2006)
What does Christopher Peterson state about the authenticity of goodness and excellence in 2006?
‘the most basic assumption that the positive approach urges is that humans goodness and excellence is just as authentic as disease, disorder and distress.’
Example of authenticity of goodness and excellence.
- The development of the theory of signature strengths
- 24 character strengths which everyone has a different degrees
People can improve these strengths to improve their well-being - The VIA institute provides reading material, resources and a self- report questionnaire which enables people to identify, utilize and improve their strengths in their everyday life.
focus on ‘the good life’
-most of the approach of ‘the good life’ is looking at factors which promote the good life- a life lived well.
- Seligman suggests that there are three dimensions to happiness: The pleasant life, the good life and the meaningful life
The good life dimension
Engaging in activities which absorb us and help us to reach a state of flow e.g focusing of our signature strengths, having a positive relationship with others and working to achieve our goals. Applying our strengths to our daily life can make us feel good about ourselves.
The pleasant life dimension
Completing activities which make us feel good and that we enjoy- these we should savor and be mindful of how they make us feel
The meaningful life dimension
The state of fulfillment we get from using our character strengths for a deeper purpose such as a campaign.
Example of ‘the good life’
-concept of ‘flow’ developed by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
- The activity needs to be challenging enough to make us think but not so difficult that it causes us stress.
What does Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi say about the concept of flow?
‘Time flies. Every movement, action and thought, follows inevitably after the previous one, like playing jazz, your whole being is involved and your using your skills to the upmost.’
