'The Happiness Hypothesis' Flashcards
What are the two big scientific findings in positive psychology?
- Strong relationship to genes
- Weak relationship to environment
What is the ‘Happiness Formula’ in positive psychology?
H = S + C + V
H = S + C + V
H = Happiness
S = Set Point, determined by genes
C = Conditions of our life
V = Voluntary activity
What are some examples of voluntary activities in the ‘Happiness Formula’?
- Diet
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Finding flow
What are some examples of conditions in the ‘Happiness Formula’?
- Socioeconomic status
- Where we live
- Our race
- Our appearance
Can all conditions be changed in the ‘Happiness Formula’?
Some can, especially over time (ex. moving from a noisy neighborhood, having plastic surgery)
What is the difference between ‘pleasures’ and ‘gratifications’ in positive psychology?
- Pleasures are based on physical and short-term emotional satisfaction
- Gratifications are activities that engage us more deeply that provide us with positive experiences and in turn positive memories
What is the ‘adaptation principle’ in positive psychology?
- The same as the ‘hedonic treadmill’
- We adjust or adapt to many changes in our lives so that it’s harder to achieve long term happiness
What is one counter-strategy to the ‘adaptation principle’ in positive psychology?
New experiences
What is the saying that supports the counter-strategy to the ‘adaptation principle’ in positive psychology?
- ‘Variety is the spice of life’
- Consistently trying new things makes it harder for the adaptation principle to kick in
What is the philosophy of Stoicism?
A broad philosophical system and ‘way of life’ developed in Ancient Greece and Rome that was an attempt to understand the physical world, the gods and their relationship to the world, as well as the best way for human beings to live.
Is Stoicism solely academic or abstract?
No, Stoicism is not solely academic or abstract but a practical way of life and a discipline.
What is significant in Stoicism?
Stoicism is significant in its attitude towards ‘passions’ or our reaction to things that happen TO us, as opposed to things that we do intentionally.
What do most people behave like according to Stoicism?
Most people are like puppets being pulled around by things outside their control, but that state of life is not necessarily; it is possible to control HOW we react to what happens to us, to work on inner peace or stability.
What do some ideas of Stoicism sound similar to?
Some of the ideas of Stoicism sound similar to ideas in Buddhism as well as in CBT, even including exercises to change the way you think about what happens to you.
What is the goal of Stoicism?
The goal of Stoicism is a state of ‘apatheia’, or indifference to the good and bad things that happen to us; roughly a life of nonattachment and a focus on cerebral or internal pleasures.
What are the similarities between Buddhist detachment and Western Stoicism/positive psychology?
The similarities are that there’s a difference between what happens to us and how we react to it, and we can learn to regulate our reactions.
How do detachment and mindfulness impact our happiness?
They show that our happiness doesn’t have to be a function of things beyond our control, and the quality of our life is largely within our own minds.
What do we need to work on to be happy?
We must work on the inside.
Are the meditative practices of detachment and mindfulness unique?
Yes, they are unique to Buddhism and different from Western practices.
When were Buddhism and Stoicism developed?
Both philosophies come from time periods when human society was undeveloped and science and technology almost didn’t exist.
What was life like during the time of Buddha and the Stoics?
Life was extremely unpredictable and out of an individual’s control.
What might have been the most likely path to a peaceful mind and happiness in ancient times?
Detachment and a passionless life.
What is different about today’s world?
We have much more control over the conditions of our lives and a greater ability to understand why both good and bad things happen.
