Week 8

Question 1

How is post-traumatic growth developed?

Answer 1

Through actions and activities - that move towards an important goal providing meaning & purpose

Question 2

Which is more common: PTSD or PTG?

Answer 2

PTG

Question 3

Is the theme of PTG new - what is an example of why or why not?

Answer 3

The theme is old.

-Homer’s Odyssey
-Our superheroes like Batman, Superman, etc.
-the theme is as old as time

Question 4

What happens to our body after trauma?

Answer 4

-biology after trauma changes and doesn’t always return to normal
-recalibration towards something new
-understanding the shift is good
-suffering can have a much larger purpose

Question 5

What are 5 positive changes that people report related to PTG?

Answer 5

1) Increased inner strength
2) Openness to new possibilities in life (curiosity)
3) Closer, often deeper relationships with friends & family
4) Enhanced appreciation for life
5) Stronger sense of spirituality

Question 6

What are 3 areas that are influenced by PTG?

Answer 6

1) Academics
2) Athletics - (super elite athletes are much more likely to have experienced a major setback EARLY in life - discover sports shortly after)
3) Clinical Work (Shift to positive focus) Ex=focus on looking at the story of resistance *Key Shift: “How did you survive?”

Question 7

What happened 20 years later after trauma?

Answer 7

all people had about the same level of happiness - partially because of PTG & partially because of hedonic adaptation

Question 8

What is the 1st sacred emotion?

Answer 8

Gratitude

Question 9

Who is Robert Emmons (not madi’s gr. 10 science teacher)?

Answer 9

A gratitude expert

Question 10

What are 3 reasons why some emotions are called sacred emotions?

Answer 10

-ability to deepen faith
-they are believed to be at the heart of religion & spirituality = emotional experiences/responses
-create positive connections etc. personally & socially beneficial

Question 11

What is the posterchild of positive psychology?

Answer 11

Gratitude

Question 12

What is gratitude?

Answer 12

A FEELING OF REVERANCE FOR ALL THINGS GIVEN
-a deep, abiding sense of thankfulness/goodness

-it is very specific - “pancakes with blueberries I was craving” - shows that the thanker was really paying attention
-a very complicated emotion
-not just a simple “thanks” or expression of politeness

Question 13

What does gratitude seem to thwart?

Answer 13

hedonic adaptation

Question 14

What kind of functions does gratitude have?

Answer 14

strong social and psychological functions

Question 15

Why is saying, “she is so ungrateful” one of the worst things that someone can say?

Answer 15

It produces shame.

Question 16

What does gratitude require?

Answer 16

time to reflect

Question 17

What are 3 challenges to gratitude?

Answer 17

1) Individualism & narcissism - feelings of entitlement
2) Materialism/consumerism
3) Time - over-scheduling selves - typically starts really early in life (changes the biology of children)

Question 18

What are the 2 ways of looking at gratitude?

Answer 18

1) As a situation specific emotion - it broadens our perspectives & builds psychological and social resources (results in the strengthening of relationships)
2) as a character trait - general tendency to respond with gratitude to people’s kindness etc.

Question 19

What are the 3 limitations of gratitude interventions that were found in Davis & Collogues (2016) meta-analysis?

Answer 19

Interventions are promising but there are limitations:
1) Women - appear to benefit more - experience more often and are more comfy with it
2) Cross-cultural - don’t know all about it
* 3) Participation in almost any activity involving self-discipline seems to increase well-being (self-discipline may be the mechanism producing the outcomes but can’t really isolate it)

Question 20

Gratitude exercises are more effective when they are structured as _____

Answer 20

prayers

Ex=the prayer of thanksgiving = gratitude

Question 21

What does gratitude help do?

Answer 21

Giving up thinking about life’s troubles is not possible but gratitude helps find balance

Question 22

What are the 3 categories of gratitude benefits?

Answer 22

1) Psychological
(higher levels of positive emotions, blocks envy resentment and regret; higher sense of self, etc.)
2) Physical
(stronger immune system; less bothered by aches and pains; increased physical fitness; sleep longer and more refreshed)
3) Social
(More helpful, generous, and compassionate; more forgiving; more outgoing; feel less lonely and isolated; etc.)

Question 23

What are 7 tips for keeping a gratitude journal?

Answer 23

1- don’t just go through the motions
2 - go for depth over breadth
3 - get personal
4 - try subtraction, not addition
5 - savor surprises
6 - don’t overdo it
7 - see each item as a “gift”

Question 24

What about advertising?

Answer 24

efforts to increase gratitude may be helpful but not as much as apps advertise