[WEEK-02] Positive Psychology

Question 1

How does Boniwell (2012) define positive psychology?

Answer 1

The science of positive aspects of human life, such as happiness, well-being and flourishing.

Question 2

What model of psychology was initially used traditionally?

Answer 2

The Medical Model.

Question 3

What is the underlying concept in The Medical Model (TMM)?

Answer 3

That every psychological issue must have an underlying physical cause that can be cured or treated.

Question 4

What is a benefit of positive psychology?

Answer 4

As it exclusively focuses on the strengths of being human, it helps people strengthen themselves and focus on their strengths rather than focusing only on what is wrong with the patient.

Question 5

How does positive psychology challenge the medical model?

Answer 5

Treatment within positive psychology does not include simply fixing the cause of the problem, but nurtures what is best in the person.

Question 6

How is the focus on personal strengths effective in aiding patients with their psychological experiences?

Answer 6

Working on weakness and physical ailments has reduced the field in learning how to prevent psychological illness - focusing on the strengths of an individual and highlighting what constitutes a happy life provides an important building block in treating psychological illnesses (focusing on what the person COULD be rather than how they currently lack).

Question 7

Who first coined the term ‘positive psychology?

Answer 7

Abraham Maslow in his book “Motivation and Personality” 1954.

Question 8

Who is one of the modern pioneers of positive psychology?

Answer 8

Martin Seligman.

Question 9

What are the six characteristics that Seligman and Peterson (2004) identified to be the most valued virtues?

Answer 9

1) Wisdom/Knowledge.
2) Courage.
3) Transcendence.
4) Justice.
5) Humanity.
6) Temperance.

Question 10

What are the 3 Pillars of Positive Psychology?

Answer 10

1) Positive Experiences (The pleasant/pleasurable life).
2) Positive Individual Traits (The good/engaged life).
3) Positive Groups/Institutions (The meaningful life)

Question 11

What does the Positive Character (The Good/Engaged Life) mean?

Answer 11

It involves knowing your key strengths and how to use them, as well as strengthening them.

Question 12

What are two strengths of Positive Character in Positive Psychology?

Answer 12

It is the core agenda in positive psychology,
And it emphasises the presence of good health as opposed to an absence of illness.

Question 13

What did Seligman and Peterson release in 2004 in terms of positive character?

Answer 13

They published “Character Strengths and Virtues (CSV)” offering a theoretical framework which clusters characteristics into 24 signature strengths across 6 virtues.

Question 14

What does the wisdom and knowledge virtue mean?

Answer 14

Cognitive strengths consisting of knowledge and the application of knowledge.

Question 15

What does the courage virtue mean?

Answer 15

Emotional strength involving the will to accomplish goals in the face of challenges, danger, fear, difficulty, obstacles or threats.

Question 16

What does the humanity virtue mean?

Answer 16

Interpersonal strengths involving tending, befriending, and care.

Question 17

What does the transcendence virtue mean?

Answer 17

Strengths that connect to the larger universe and provide deeper meaning.

Question 18

What does the temperance virtue mean?

Answer 18

Protecting against excess.

Question 19

What does the justice virtue mean?

Answer 19

Civic strengths that underlie a healthy community life.

Question 20

What are examples of strengths within wisdom and knowledge?

Answer 20

• Creativity.
• Curiosity.
• Open-mindedness.
• Love of learning.
• Perceptive.

Question 21

What are examples of strengths within courage?

Answer 21

• Bravery.
• Persistence.
• Integrity/Honesty.
• Vitality/Zest.

Question 22

What are examples of strengths within humanity?

Answer 22

• Love.
• Kindness.
• Compassion.
• Social intelligence.

Question 23

What are examples of strengths within transcendence?

Answer 23

• Appreciation of beauty.
• Gratitude.
• Hope/Optimism.
• Humour/Playfulness.
• Spirituality/Higher purpose.

Question 24

What are examples of strengths within temperance?

Answer 24

• Forgiveness.
• Mercy.
• Humility/Modesty.
• Prudence.
• Self-regulation/Discipline.

Question 25

What are examples of strengths within justice?

Answer 25

• Citizenship.
• Social responsibility.
• Fairness.
• Loyalty.
• Leadership.

Question 26

What does Boniwell’s (2012) cross-cultural research suggest about the value of knowing and following your strengths?

Answer 26

• Encourages insight and perspective.
• Decreases sensitivity to stress.
• Generates optimism and resilience.
• Provides sense of direction.
• Develops confidence and positive rapport.
• Generates sense of vitality and energy.
• Generates sense of happiness and fulfilment.
• Helps achieve goals.
• Enables engagement at work and better performance.
• Builds resilience against illness.

Question 27

What did Waters et al, (2019) find in terms of strength-based parenting of adolescents?

Answer 27

There was a significant positive effect on academic achievement, predicted engagement and perseverance.

Question 28

What are some applications of positive psychology (Linley et al, 2009)?

Answer 28

• Health.
• Coaching.
• Counselling.
• Work/Occupation.
• Education.
• Forensics.
• Clinical psychology.

Question 29

When and how did Seligman revise The Meaningful Life pillar of his theory?

Answer 29

2011 - shifted focus on wellbeing which is measured by “flourishing” (goal of positive psychology being increasing flourishing).

Question 30

What measure is used to increase flourishing in well-being theory?

Answer 30

PERMA.

Question 31

What is PERMA?

Answer 31

The five pillars of flourishing.

Question 32

What does PERMA stand for?

Answer 32

P - Positive Emotion.
E - Engagement.
R - Relationships.
M- Meaning.
A - Accomplishment.

Question 33

What does Positive Emotion from PERMA refer to?

Answer 33

• Remaining optimistic.
• Considering past, present, and future.
• Not reminiscing on the lows of life.
• The willingness to feel positive emotion.

Question 34

What does Engagement from PERMA refer to?

Answer 34

• Remaining ‘present’.
• Involving yourself with others and various activities.
• Fully absorbed and focused (entering a ‘flow’ state).

Question 35

What do Relationships from PERMA refer to?

Answer 35

• Social connections.
• Citizenship.
• Support system.
• Promotes survival.

Question 36

What does Meaning from PERMA refer to?

Answer 36

• Purpose and cause.
• Something bigger and outside ones self.
• Can involve altruism, spirituality and religion.

Question 37

What does Accomplishment from PERMA refer to?

Answer 37

• Ambition.
• Motivation.
• Achievement of goals.
• Success.
• Fulfilment.

Question 38

What does PERMA provide in practice? (Slavin et al, 2012 - PERMA as a framework for institutional leadership and cultural change)

Answer 38

P- reduces unnecessary stressors.
E - creates opportunities.
R - promotes shared activities.
M - revitalises values and motivation.
A - celebrates reward and success.

Question 39

What did Turner & Thielking (2019) find when applying the PERMA model to teacher wellbeing.

Answer 39

• Teachers reported feeling calmer and less stressed in the classroom,
• Teachers were more engaged with teaching and improved lesson quality.
• Allowed better relationships with students.

Question 40

What did Hall et al (2016) find when conducting a systematic review of healthcare staff wellbeing?

Answer 40

There was a significant correlation between poor wellbeing and worse patient safety/medical errors.