Positive Psychology

Question 1

What is the definition of positive psychology

Answer 1

the practice of psychology has adopted a treatment focus > “curing” already developed problems, focuses on human happiness, emotional health, resilience and its causes

Question 2

Who is the founder of the discipline of positive psychology?

Answer 2

Martin Seligman > the scientific study of positive human functioning on multiple levels (ie. biological, personal, relational, etc.)

Question 3

Socrates on Positive Psychology

Answer 3

= key to understanding the good life is self-knowledge, which motivates virtuous behaviour

Question 4

Plato on Positive Psychology

Answer 4

= distrusted sensory experiences to reveal the truth, believing instead that one must look deeper within themselves

Question 5

Aristotle on Positive Psychology

Answer 5

= eudaemonia: happiness possessed of true well-being that is a by-product of living a virtuous life

Question 6

Happiness as Subjective Well-Being. Based on 4 things:

Answer 6

happiness is determined by one’s appraisal of life satisfaction & positive feelings. based on 1) life satisfaction 2) satisfaction with important life domains 3) positive affect 4) low levels of negative affect

Question 7

Happiness as a Prescriptive View (must exhibit high levels in 6 dimensions)

Answer 7

specifies (ie. prescribes) that certain factors must be present for an individual to feel happiness & well-being. 1) self-acceptance 2) positive relations with others 3) autonomy 4) environmental mastery 5) purpose in life 6) personal growth

Question 8

What is the Happiness Set Point?

Answer 8

= happiness levels are fixed + stable across time, good stability of subjective well-being across time, even in changing circumstances

Question 9

Happiness & Personality

Answer 9

Happiness & well-being levels are stable across the lifespan & personality factors seem to contribute to this stability

Question 10

Hedonic Adaptation

Answer 10

= happiness due to circumstances tends to be temporary as individuals generally adjust soon to new circumstances

Question 11

Hedonic Treadmill

Answer 11

= (a metaphor for hedonic adaptation) no matter how slow/fast one moves, happiness levels stay the same

Question 12

What is Resilience?

Answer 12

= the ability to recover, or respond positively, to a negative event

Question 13

Resilient individuals…

Answer 13

1) cope with negative event 2) experience distress but display healthy & timely trajectories of flexible adaptations 3) adversarial growth in response to hardship 4) thrive

Question 14

Resilience is _________ and developed through a ____________ interaction between ___________ and ____________ ______________ resources

Answer 14

Resilience is multi-level and developed through a dynamic interaction between personal and available external resources.

Question 15

Individual Level Protective Factors

Answer 15

Optimism, hope, self-efficacy & good social skills

Question 16

Family Level Protective Factors

Answer 16

family cohesion, warmth, emotionally responsive caregiving

Question 17

Community Level Protective Factors

Answer 17

peer networks & school environment

Question 18

What are the 5 Vulnerability Factors that reduce resilience?

Answer 18

1) poverty

2) social exclusion

3) low self-esteem

4) lack of social networks

5) family dysfunction

Question 19

Why does optimism have advantages over pessimism for coping with stress and promoting well-being?

Answer 19

Optimism views events as temporary, and specific to the situation caused by external factors, therefore there is a more approach while coping and less avoidance.

Question 20

What is hope and how does it differ from optimism?

Answer 20

Hope is the motivational trait-like perception that a wide range of goals can be pursued. Optimism is associated with a higher likelihood of being subjective and more perceived control over hope

Question 21

What is the relationship between positive and negative affect?

Answer 21

Eliminating negative emotions does not necessarily lead to positive ones; Positive & negative affect are independently & weakly inversely related factors

Question 22

What is Frederickson’s Broaden and Build Model?

Answer 22

explains the adaptive value of positive emotions:
-By broadening thought-action repertoires, positive emotions help us build personal resources

Question 23

What is self-compassion and its consequences?

Answer 23

= kind & caring feelings toward oneself when exposed to personal distress, & the acknowledgement that one’s suffering & failure are a part of life. Results include the less likelihood to:
1) magnify negative events
2) feel anxious following stressful situations
3) avoid challenges for fear of failure

Question 24

What is mindfulness and what are its consequences?

Answer 24

= being fully aware and accepting the present. Results include
1. overall higher level of psychological well-being
2. less mood disturbance and stress in patients with cancer

Question 25

What is gratitude and what are the benefits?

Answer 25

= appreciation for something good another has brought about. Some benefits are:
1) enhancing enjoyment of benefits
2) fostering positive emotions (focus on good aspects)
3) enhanced social relationships
4) helping to cope better with stress & other difficult circumstances (ie. focusing more on the benefits of stressful events)
5) enabling access to more positive memories