PSY331 - 10. Positive Emotions

Question 1

This Emotional Life

Answer 1

Happiness universal human desire
Not easily satisfied + doesn't last long
Why is it fleeting? - what makes us happy changes
Temporary state
Self help

Question 2

Applying scientific method

Answer 2

Happy ppl have better lives
Out achieve other ppl
On avg married and more money = happier
Children doesn’t make ppl happier, sometimes less happy

Question 3

Money

Answer 3

Impact depends on where you start - winning lottery from poverty
When lottery winners mispend money = unhappy

Question 4

Money

Answer 4

Use money to help family, help charity = happier
Happiness/content takes more work
More access to happiness

Question 5

Predicting Happiness

Answer 5

Aren’t good with predicting what will make them happier
Thoughts are shaped by how we feel in the present
Can’t believe that our feelings will change
Doesn’t make us happy intensely or for long
Hedonic adaptation - good at adapting to changes in lives

Question 6

Predicting Happiness

Answer 6

Results in wanting more
Ppl find ways to like things they are stuck with
We change thoughts about circumstances when we can’t change them

Question 7

Recovery

Answer 7

Most ppl who experience despair will bounce back to the set point
Resilience is very common

Question 8

Resilience

Answer 8

Resilience needs social support
Establish relationships that are supportive
Religious or moral beliefs

Question 9

Resilience

Answer 9

Accurate optimism
Bob - prisoner of war
Many said they wouldn’t change it - learned something about himself and thrive
Learn resilience by falling down and coming back up again
Adaptation to misfortunes we can’t change

Question 10

Seeking Happiness

Answer 10

When we can change misfortunes we fight to change it

Investing in shared experience rather than material possessions

Question 11

Seeking Happiness

Answer 11

Unemployment makes us unhappy because we lose a piece of ourselves
Illness can tear a hole in our idenities

Question 12

Self Help

Answer 12

Major pathways to self help
Norcross is worried that experts are claiming untested theory
Self help could be dangerous despite of proliferation

Question 13

Self Help

Answer 13

Dr. Phil
Psychotherapy
Just the beginning - Doesn’t substitute for therapy

Question 14

Self Help

Answer 14

practice + science informs each other

Can be more productive to change behaviour than thoughts

Question 15

Self Help

Answer 15

Alcoholics Anonymous - 12 step groups
Regular participation is a positive factors
Key is sense of universal shared experiences

Question 16

Self Help

Answer 16

Social support key
Ppl who sponsor other ppl are more likely to stay sober
Ppl need to get and give help

Question 17

Forgiveness

Answer 17

Wisdom to know what we can and can’t change is hard

Forgiveness classes - Reduced stress, depression, increased hopefulness

Question 18

Forgiveness

Answer 18

Provide exercises that get them to see that anger is only hurting themselves
If it doesn’t work for you then don’t do it anymore

Question 19

Positive Psychology

Answer 19

Should focus on our strengths than faults
Empirically based endeavor
Used in hospitals, even in military

Question 20

Positive Psychology

Answer 20

Taking strengths and building on it
Practicing them in order to build character
You are what to do
Build the science then leak out findings before popularity gets ahead of itself

Question 21

Meditation

Answer 21

Neuropsychological studies
Heightened activation not relaxation
Minds intensely focus

Question 22

Meditation

Answer 22

Brains begin to change - more activity in left prefrontal activation
Brain is built to change depending on experience

Question 23

Meditation

Answer 23

We can train our mind and change circuitry to increase well-being
Less anxiety

Question 24

Social Relationships

Answer 24

Happy when we’re connected to others

When they’re strong we’re happy, when they’re lost we’re devastated

Question 25

Social Relationships

Answer 25

Transmitting happiness to others
Happiness may be as contagious as the common cold
Can travel farther and faster than ppl imagine

Question 26

Social Connections

Answer 26

Mapped out web of connection in study and looked for changes

Friends happy increases chances of 15%

Question 27

Social Connections

Answer 27

Only in 4 degrees of separation that there is a loss of association between happiness levels
Connections exert powerful influence of happiness

Question 28

Youth

Answer 28

Others see worth in you, you wanna be good for them
Dark road in childhood doesn’t doom you
You can construct a new life with the help of other ppl

Question 29

Youth

Answer 29

Study stress and protective factors in overcoming adversity for children
What’s important are the people in their lives - Parent, teacher, friend

Question 30

Youth

Answer 30

Positive motivation snowballing

Means being engaged in things that involve other ppl and being commited to other ppl

Question 31

Aging

Answer 31

Increasingly clear about strengths, weaknesses, and who we care about
Increasingly positive if not suffering from pain or debilitative illness

Question 32

Aging

Answer 32

We realize we are mortal and it changes our emotional experience
Become better at experiencing the moment

Question 33

Aging

Answer 33

Silver lining of getting old

Don’t have the burden of the future

Question 34

Aging

Answer 34

Start to focus on closer relationships

Among older ppl who are suffering losses, somehow experiencing life emotionally better