positive psychology Flashcards
definition by seligman
scientific understanding and effective interventions to build thriving individuals , families and communities
Gabel and hairy definition
study of the conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people
historical roots Aristotle definition
to live a pleasant successful virtuous and moral life
eudaemonia - flourishing of life
epicurean
coined the term hedonism - striving for pleasure
stoic
live in a moral life and be objective in our thoughts and be logical and rational in the way we do things
socrates
focus on the could - harmonising and understanding our desires - self knowledge- achieve happiness
subjective happiness
hedonic component of well being
cognitive component how do we assess this
life satisfaction
by rating their current state of being then ratio gtheir ideal
compare ratings
affective component
moods and emotional responses
nice balance of experiencing positive and negative emotions
research for affective component
diener et al
people that experience more frequent positive emotions regardless of intensity tend to be happier compared to those tho have intense / infrequent emotions
positive effects of being happy
less illness, hostility, self centred ness
more creativity, perseverance , sociability and optimism
how to measure subjective well being
life satisfaction +high positive affect - low negative affect
world happiness report what factors may be related to happiest nations
money , cold countries
population - low
no war
income
deaton - positive association with SWB
satisfaction of basic biological need
gender
relationship between income and SWB is stronger in men than women , especially married men . but stronger relationship for single women than married women
relationships
social interaction , regardless of personality traits
higher SWB for married couples
work - employment
job , career or calling orientation
higher SWB for calling orientation - meaning/ goal to achieve
health
dinner- higher SWB for those who have lower likelihood of illness
lifespan
higher SWB = live longer
there is a strong link with
personality and SWB - Magnus et al
support for link between personality and SWB
twin studies - identical twins reared apart , non identical reared together
twins reared apart showed similar levels of happiness- genetics basis
dynamic equilibrium theory
headily and wearimg -
we have a predisposed / genetic component of how happy we are
how sorting our emotional responses are
adaptation theory
we have an evolutionary tendency to respond very strongly to a stimulation
strong reaction fades overtime
variety and affective foreshadowing
changes in approach/ intervention
positive events= positive emotions and well being
desire for change - variety and surprise
affection forecasting
thinking about how we feel about certain events in the future
why are we not more happy
relative standards model
we are constantly judging our happiness by comparing our lives to other people - social comparison-
people who compare themselves - lower levels of SWB
affluenza
we are more materialistic
no feeling of accomplishment
associated with feelings of worthlessness and dissatisfaction
paradox of choice
tyranny of freedom
too much choice- difficult to make a decision
we are either maximisers or satisfiers
what are maximisers
more choice most of the experience = cause anxiety
satisfiers
less options - just choose one
higher levels of SWB due to less choice
goal theories
pursuit of goals - gives your life structure , meaning , agency
AIM approach for a happy mindset
Attention, interpretations and Memory
attention
by paying attention to the negative aspects - decrease our mood . eating attention to positive aspects- increase mood
interpretation
focus on the positive side/ interpretation
memory
the more we retrieve positive memories , the happier we are
eudaemonic happiness
well being encapsulates actualisation of human potential
eudaemonic happiness is a state - inclusion of a persons meaning in life and purpose
pleasure and satisfaction is too simplistic
flow
phenomenological construct - intense experiential involvement in moment to moment activity
in the zone
flow is experienced when
we are performing at best
attention and focus fully invested
components of Flow experience
states occur during structural activity balance of challenge complete concentration sense of control transformation of time activity for own sake personally - curious character
world faiths
virtues - protection from sun and promotion of happiness - judaic and christians
Hobbesian reality
humans have a selfish nature to us - life is short and brutish
to have a good life we should have a good work ethic
promotion of agency
we are responsible for our own happiness
improving life and health = positive thought
humanistic and neo freudian psychology
focus on positive human nature
Maslow - self actualising tendency
overarching themes in positive psychology
selgiman -
the pleasant life
the good life
the meaningful life
the pleasant life
the life of enjoyment
optimal experience of normal aspects
but transient experiences - short time
the good life
life of engagement
related to Aristotle’s concept of eudaemonia
having things you are interested in- related to flow
the meaningful life
life of affiliation
beyond daily life pleasures
use those personality strengths for a higher purpose
eg benefiting others and society
provides a positive sense of belonging - related to virtues
self determination theory
order and predictability
evolutionary function
components - autonomy , competence and belonging/ relatedenss
autonomy
feeling of control
personal volition , not coercion - persuaded by someone
competence
ability to do something successfully / efficiently
self confidence in doing things
belonging
connection with and caring for group peers
life meaning and purpose
essential for fulfilment
searching for happiness has purpose
7 major sources of meaning
achievement of goals acceptance of self + others relationships intimacy religion self transcendence- greater force in our lives fairness
people who have a higher sense of meaning tend to
have better mental and physical well being
those who have higher meaning in life also
reports higher life satisfaction and liking rates
combination of meaning +
SWB= happiness
personality strengths
sense of ownership, authenticity and motivation
we morally have between 2 and 5 personality strengths grouped into
6 categories/ virtues Wisdom and knowledge courage humanity justice temperance transcendance
optimism
optimists will have an internal, stable and global explanatory style
what is a common way to measure optimism
questionnaires
optimism is linked with
health , but too optimistic - decrease in health eg denial of health
gratitude
feeling of thankfulness for benefit to be received
universal religious concepts
link between well being and gratitude
links with prosocial behaviour - strengthening relationships with others
altruism
principle of concern for the welfare of others
motivation to prove something of value without exception of any benefits eg- feeling good that you helped someone
evolutionary explanations
kinship- belong
more likely to reciprocate and signalling
benefits to mental and physical health
