THE POSITIVE APPROACH- Evaluating the positve approach

Question 1

one of the strengths of the positive psychology is that it is a shift in focus for psychology. explain what this means.

Answer 1

it moves the focus of psychology beyond explaining and treating disorder and illness to celebrating the human character/ how our authentic strengths can be developed to ensure we experience greater life fulfilment. - in short, it shifts attention from an interest in negative states ,e.g. anxiety and depression to positive states, e.g. happiness, optimism

Question 2

what is the shift in focus of psychology within the positive approach underpinned by the belief of

Answer 2

focusing on only disorder and disease results in limited understanding of the human condition

Question 3

what do Sheldon and King [2001] note psychology has traditionally failed to do

Answer 3

encourage human growth - instead it has had a negative bias

Question 4

what do Sheldon and King believe believe psychology needs to do instead of studying weaknesses and damage, and tryin to fix what is wrong

Answer 4

build on what is right about human nature

Question 5

what type of view of abnormality have the traditional psychological approaches involved

Answer 5

determinist

Question 6

what does the determinist view look at

Answer 6

the past instead of an individual’s future

Question 7

in contrast to the determinist views of other approaches, what does the positive approach recognise

Answer 7

people want to think about their future, to become proactive in changing their destiny/ understanding they have the free will over their emotions to achieve this

Question 8

name 4 examples of where application of positive psychology has been used

Answer 8

education, stress management, occupational psychology [ study of human behaviour at work, including methods of selectin personnel staff] , therapy

Question 9

what type of training / for who has positive psychology been applied to

Answer 9

resilience training for the US Army following extended campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq in recent years

Question 10

what is the aim of the resilience training for the US Army

Answer 10

improve different aspects of resilience [e.g. emotional, spiritual] / to try to reduce incidence of stress symptoms and suicide

Question 11

by employing techniques drawn from positive psychology, what does the resilience training programme focus on building/ how

Answer 11

emotional toughness by identifying/ building signature strengths [g.g. humour, courage, perseverance]

Question 12

the resilience training programme for the US Army prevents pathology. what is pathology

Answer 12

a study of causes of psychological disorders

Question 13

why does the resilience programme for the US Army prevent pathology

Answer 13

so soldiers can return home without serious mental health issues

Question 14

where in particular are a growing number of schools embracing the positive psychology curricula [PPC]

Answer 14

the USA

Question 15

what does the positive psychology curricula [PPC] involve

Answer 15

intentional activities to increase overall well- being through the development of positive cognitions, feelings and behaviours

Question 16

in what year did the UK Department for Children, Schools and Families set 10 new targets to improve children’s well-being by 2020

Answer 16

2007

Question 17

in what year did the US Department of Education award a 2.8 million dollar grant for positive psychology to be taught to ninth graders

Answer 17

2002

Question 18

what did Wellington College, Birkshire take the decision to do in 2006

Answer 18

timetable positive psychology/ happiness lessons as part of its curriculum

Question 19

unlike other approaches, the positive approach does not propose a determinist account of human behaviour. name 3 examples of approaches which do

Answer 19

biological, psychodynamic, bahaviourist

Question 20

positive psychology is based on the notion that individuals are neither ———— nor ———- .fill in the gaps

Answer 20

pre-determined nor restricted