Week 8 Flashcards
How is post-traumatic growth developed?
Through actions and activities - that move towards an important goal providing meaning & purpose
Which is more common: PTSD or PTG?
PTG
Is the theme of PTG new - what is an example of why or why not?
The theme is old.
-Homer’s Odyssey
-Our superheroes like Batman, Superman, etc.
-the theme is as old as time
What happens to our body after trauma?
-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
What are 5 positive changes that people report related to PTG?
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
What are 3 areas that are influenced by PTG?
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?”
What happened 20 years later after trauma?
all people had about the same level of happiness - partially because of PTG & partially because of hedonic adaptation
What is the 1st sacred emotion?
Gratitude
Who is Robert Emmons (not madi’s gr. 10 science teacher)?
A gratitude expert
What are 3 reasons why some emotions are called sacred emotions?
-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
What is the posterchild of positive psychology?
Gratitude
What is gratitude?
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
What does gratitude seem to thwart?
hedonic adaptation
What kind of functions does gratitude have?
strong social and psychological functions
Why is saying, “she is so ungrateful” one of the worst things that someone can say?
It produces shame.
What does gratitude require?
time to reflect
What are 3 challenges to gratitude?
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)
What are the 2 ways of looking at gratitude?
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.
What are the 3 limitations of gratitude interventions that were found in Davis & Collogues (2016) meta-analysis?
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)
Gratitude exercises are more effective when they are structured as _____
prayers
Ex=the prayer of thanksgiving = gratitude
What does gratitude help do?
Giving up thinking about life’s troubles is not possible but gratitude helps find balance
What are the 3 categories of gratitude benefits?
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.)
What are 7 tips for keeping a gratitude journal?
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”
What about advertising?
efforts to increase gratitude may be helpful but not as much as apps advertise
