Positive Therapy

Question 1

Component: Gaining control of thoughts

Answer 1

Mindfulness teaches to focus on present, not past/ future (gives anxiety)

Goal= Gain awareness of negative thoughts so can control them

Negative automatic thinking= Depression + Anxiety

Mindfulness allows to notice when NAT happens so can reflect instead of react negatively

Question 2

Component: Meditation + Mindful breathing

Answer 2

Achieve mindfulness through meditation.

Sitting down most effective

Guided Meditation= Sit down, attention to breathing, attention to thoughts+sensations

This prevents negative automatic thoughts

Question 3

Informal practices of mindfulness

Answer 3

When mindfulness is learned it can be practiced in daily life

It is making conscious decision to focus on one task

E.g. In shower focus on water hitting skin, sounds of shower

If mind wanders bring it back to these sensations

Gives break from normal thought process

Question 4

Effectiveness: Maybe more effective in groups

Answer 4

Evidence to suggest meditation is more effective in group settings

Mantzios: 170 participants using mindfulness meditation to lose weight, randomly in groups/ as individuals

P’s in group lost more weight

Benefits of individual mindfulness meditation should be viewed with caution

Question 5

Effectiveness: Used with other therapies

Answer 5

Incorporated into CBT to offer new perspective on therapy

Traditional CBT modifies unrealistic beliefs, while mindfulness CBT changes process of thinking

Thus its effective

Question 6

Ethics: Good protection from harm

Answer 6

Doesn’t bring up past traumas e.g. dream therapy

Less deterministic so patient blame not an issue

Teaches acceptance of ‘negative’ thought process, less frustration

Question 7

Ethics: Helps maintain moral standards

Answer 7

Seen as essential in maintaining good morals and ethics for those who practice it

Study found individuals in high mindfulness less likely to cheat on test

Benefits society with more moral people