Unit 1 - Positive Approach

Question 1

3 assumptions of the positive approach

Answer 1

1. Acknowledgement of free will
2. The good life
3. Authenticity of goodness and excellence

Question 2

Acknowledgement of free will explains that…

Answer 2

Humans are in charge of our own emotions, and we have FREE we to change how we feel
Happiness is not genetic or due to luck

Question 3

Authenticity of goodness and excellence explains that…

Answer 3

Happiness is as natural as anxiety/stress
Our ‘signature strengths’ (kindness humour etc) are ignored as influences on behaviour as we focus too much on disorders
We should focus on the good aspects of life instead

Question 4

Focus on the good life involves…

Answer 4

Focussing on ‘the good life’ and factors that contribute to a well lived life

1. Positive connection to others (ability to love, trust, forgive)
2. Positive individual traits (personal qualities)
3. Life regulation qualities (independent or faith in decisions)

Question 5

Positive approach link to human behaviour

Answer 5

Relationship formation (authenticity) - forming/maintaining relationships allow to develop sig strengths, thus strive for happier, content life

Relationship formation (good life) - strive for good life, positive connection to others includes ability to love, trust etc -all essential for relationship formation and maintenance

Question 6

Therapy of the positive approach

Answer 6

Mindfulness

Question 7

3 Components of mindfulness

Answer 7

1. Gain control of thoughts (train to focus on current thoughts/emotions/feelings - gain greater awareness of thoughts/feelings)
2. Mediation an mindfulness breathing (physically remove individual from daily interaction)
3. Informal practices of mindfulness (once learned, practice in daily life)

Question 8

Strengths of mindfulness therapy

Answer 8

+ doesn’t drag up past
+ encourages acceptance
+ MBCT found most helpful for depression

Question 9

Weaknesses of mindfulness therapy

Answer 9

• individual mindfulness not as good as group mindfulness

Question 10

Classic study of the positive approach

Answer 10

Myers and diener- who is happy? Literature review

Question 11

Method of Myers and dieners study

Answer 11

(Literature review thus no procedure)
1. Select topic
2. Search literature
3. Develop argument
4. Surely literature
5. Critique literature 
6. Write review 
 Repeat

Question 12

What are the 9 topic Myers and diener looked at in their study

Answer 12

Age
Sex
Culture
Race
Work 
Money
Traits
Relationships 
Faith

Question 13

What did Myers and diener find in the topic of age

Answer 13

No real difference

Surveyed 170,00, 16 countries, no age more happy

Question 14

What did Myers and diener find in the topic of sex

Answer 14

No real difference
Women x2 more likely to depression & anxiety
Men x5 more likely to alchaholism

Question 15

What did Myers and diener find in the topic of culture

Answer 15

Large difference

Portugal 10%, Netherlands 40%, individualistic societies +ve expression encouraged

Question 16

What did Myers and diener find in the topic of race

Answer 16

No real difference

Different nationalities score similar on self esteem, all value things they excel at

Question 17

What did Myers and diener find in the topic of work

Answer 17

Strong correlation

Increased work satisfaction gives increased life satisfaction

Question 18

What did Myers and diener find in the topic of money

Answer 18

Moderate correlations

Correlation not -ve! Am be satisfaction of money = happier

Question 19

What did Myers and diener find in the topic of traits

Answer 19

Strong correlation

Self esteem & sene of wellbeing correlation, happy people tend to e extroverted

Question 20

What did Myers and diener find in the topic of relationships

Answer 20

Correlation

Those with ore friends tend to be happier, 7+ intimate friends are healthier & happier

Question 21

What did Myers and diener find in the topic of faith

Answer 21

+ve correlation

Report higher happiness when religious - less likely to be a delinquent

Question 22

What conclusions did Myers and diener draw from their study?

Answer 22

• viable theory must recognise importance of adaptation
• different cultures construe world in different ways
• non conflicting goals 7 making progress are SWB
• knowing age/sex/race doesn’t inform on happiness!!!

Question 23

Strengths of Myers and deniers study

Answer 23

G
R - some similar findings
A - application, change can be used to make people happier, used ins workplace
V - external validity
E - no risk of harm, no deception, informed consent

Question 24

Weaknesses of Myers and diener study

Answer 24

G - happiness is individual, lots of literature was western
R
A. Some argue happiness is 50% genetics, 10% circumstance 40% self control
V - poor validity as subjective- bias reports r socially desirable answers
E - may be upset f asked if you are happy

Question 25

Hat is the debate of the positive approach?

Answer 25

The relevance of positive psychology in todays society

Question 26

What are the 4 areas to refer to in he positive debate?

Answer 26

Education
Work
Leisure and lifestyle
Health

Question 27

Strengths of the postive approach

Answer 27

N - ideographic, individual difference
U- applications to many fields, eg US army, US education
R-
D- free will, people can think as they like
S -

Question 28

Weaknesses of the postive approach

Answer 28

N
U- not a new view
R
D
S- Unscientific