Week 12 Flashcards
What are 6 factors to consider (Lyubomirsky) regarding sustainable happiness/well-being & why some activities work for some and not for others?
1 - motivation and believes (people are generally happier because willing to do what need to in order to get there)
2) Effort (amount of effort impacts if the activity works)
3) Social Support (encouragement from others makes a difference - but not nagging)
4) Culture (Westerners tend to benefit more than other cultures with activities - Asian cultures may gain more from activities benefitting others)
5) Age (adults get more out of activities than teens or collage students - convenient samples with potential different motivations)
6) Initial Level of Happiness (effective for people mildly depressed - better for not severely depressed or happy - NEED ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT)
Is an activity’s fit important?
Yes.
-most people who are assigned to an activity that they already have a preference for will have more success
-goal-orientated behavior is important & goes beyond preference
-align with work/home life
What are 2 practical details that influence an activity’s outcome?
1) Duration (frequency & timing - how often and when) - more is not always better - depends on the activity - Ex= many acts of kindness in one day is better than spreading them out over a week
2)Variety (vary and add curiosity to them when they get boring) - WORK WITH HEDONIC ADAPTATION
What is the best way to find out if an activity is a good fit?
Try it out
Critique to 40% solution with newer research:
factors such as genes, life-circumstances, and activities cannot be isolated from each other. They influence each other.
Can happiness go up?
Happiness can be successfully pursued but it is not easy (the ancients agree)
-this is the purpose of the 40% solution
What is Nostalgia, what is an example, and what does it combine?
Entertaining a bittersweet memory with ties to the present.
-typically associated with homesickness but pretty good example of how to blend positive and negative emotions - can be beneficial.
-sadness with warmth and joy
Entertaining a bittersweet memory with ties to the present
· Blending positive negative emotions (sadness with warmth)
Combines Latin words “nostos”- returning home to native land and “logos”-pain, suffering and grief.
Why is nostalgia bittersweet in many ways?
it is combining something that happened in the past (the good memory) with a wish that it could happen again
What are 8 benefits of Nostalgia?
1)Makes us feel good (because of positive emotions and memories)
2) Protects and strengthens our identity (a cohesive wholeness)
3) Fosters pride and satisfaction
4) Regenerates a sense of meaning (broadens and builds perspective)
5) Cements and supports social connections (social web that crosses people and time - is beyond us)
6) More satisfaction in the workplace (when nostalgic before work)
7) Write more creatively
8) Act more generously (fundraisers know this)
How best to succeed?
-choose activities that: best fit your interests;
-are virtuous and meaningful (not just trying to feel good all the time)
-Commit and then put effort into it
-add variety to routine (hedonic adaptation)
What was 1st wave positive psychology?
-Reaction to negativity of mainstream psych
-Introduced in 2000, 2009 case was made for positive psych to be introduced into academia.
-They believed it would round out the negative aspects of psych.
What are 4 criticisms of 1st wave pos psych?
1) Positive psych adopts value neutral manner.
2) Prominence on individual happiness
3) Over abundance on wellbeing definitions and how that impacts well-being research
4) Lack of attention on non-western cultures
What is 2nd wave positive psychology/what is it trying to do?
Trying to create synthases between mainstream psych and positive psychology.
· Trying to create a balanced, sophisticated solution to flourishing / positive psychology.
What are the 3 key characteristics of 2nd wave pos psych?
1) Integrates darker parts of human experience.
2) Careful attention to other culture
a. Western notions re not neutral value states
3) Positive psych could be positive psychologIES.
What are 3 things that Christianity offers Positive Psychology?
1) Fundamental truth that our true nature is inherently relational.
2) Christianity serves as a counter weight to the big me individualistic principle.
a. Good wellbeing extends outwards.
3) Highlights how to use negative phenomena such as guilt shame etc.
