Week 4 - Wellness

Question 1

Positive Emotional Styles Linked to the Common Cold

Answer 1

334 healthy volunteers infected with rhinovirus

Positive emotions and negative emotions assessed

People who scored low on positive emotions were three times more likely to get sick!

Question 2

Affect

Answer 2

a person’s immediate, physiological response to a stimulus; usually based on underlying sense of arousal

Often involves valence appraisal - interpretation of good or bad/painful-pleasurable

Question 3

Mood

Answer 3

general, free‐floating feelings that last longer than an emotion; thought to be tied to expectations of future affect

Question 4

Emotion

Answer 4

a feeling state resulting from the appraisal of an external object as salient to our own well‐being; emotions are specific, sharp, because they have an object

Happiness and subjective well‐being
The label we give to that feeling
associated with progress in goal pursuit - always has an object

Question 5

Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

Answer 5

20 item scale - quantify two dimensions of affect - valence and content
Negative affective states = general distress
Positive affect - jobiality, self-assurance and attentiveness

Question 6

“Can we experience negative affect and positive affect at the same time?”

Answer 6

negative and positive affect are 225 inversely correlated in some groups as expected, the relationships are quite weak and indicative of independence of the two types of affect.

Question 7

Dr. Isen - when we experience positive emotions we are more likely to

Answer 7

(1) to help other people
(2) to be flexible in our thinking
(3) to come up with solutions to our problems
(4) to be more willing to exhibit self-control

Question 8

Doctors who were given candy

Answer 8

• more cautious, did not jump to conclusions
  Positive affect when faced with ethical dilemma - more rational and utititarian

Question 9

Happier participants more willing to take greater financial risks for high returns

Answer 9

links between positive affect and the psychological resilience that high levels of this type of affect may build over time

link between happiness and psychological resilience allows individuals who are high in both of these areas to be able to feel more comfortable taking risks in general.

Question 10

Juvenile play builds

Answer 10

(1) enduring social and intellectual resources by encouraging attachment,

(2) higher levels of creativity, and

(3) brain development
Young adults who are more playful have less perceived stress and are found to cope better with various stressors in their lives

Question 11

Eudaimonia

Answer 11

– human flourishing associated with living a life of virtue

This definition can be traced back to Aristotle (4th Century BCE)

PWB: Ryff’s Psychological Well‐Being (purpose in life, personal growth, autonomy, positive relations with others, environmental mastery, self-acceptance)

Question 12

Eudaimonia has 4 elements:

Answer 12

AUTHENTICITY: honesty, self‐knowledge, integrity

MEANING: caring about big picture, understanding, contributing ◦

EXCELLENCE: virtue, quality performance

GROWTH: self‐actualization, learning, maturity

Question 13

Hedonia

Answer 13

happiness as pleasure and absence of pain; the primary goal worth pursuing

SWB: Diener’s Subjective Well‐Being (high positive affect, low negative affect, life satisfaction)

hedonic happiness can be derived from refraining from spending with the goal of eliminating debt and savoring what one has as opposed to replacing those materials

Question 14

Hedonia elements

Answer 14

PLEASURE: feeling good, pleasure, joy, fun, happiness
COMFORT: relaxation, ease, absence of pain

Question 15

The critics’ argument: hedo eudo

Answer 15

Feeling good is feeling good
There is little data showing a distinction between eudaimonia/hedonia

The critics’ data
SWB and PWB correlated .96
They conclude there is only one kind of well‐being

Question 16

Three types of theories of happiness:

Answer 16

1) Need/goal satisfaction theories
2) Process/activity theories
3) Genetic/personality disposition theories

Question 17

Need/Goal Satisfaction Theories

Answer 17

Came from psychotherapy

Psychoanalytic and Humanistic theories (Freud, Maslow)

Reduction of tension or Satisfaction of needs leads to happiness

We are happy because we reach our goals

Question 18

Process/Activity Theories

Answer 18

Process and engagement produce happiness - process of achieving a goal is happiness

Csikszentmihalyi and flow (engagement in interesting activities that match or challenge skills)
Those who experience flow tend to be happier
Engagement causes happiness

Doing an activity and sense of time gets distorted - time flies or feeling like youve been painting for three weeks

The process of goal pursuit generates happiness
Practices of gratitude and kindness

Positive acts can help improve happiness
Gratitude letters
Random acts of kindness

Question 19

Some activities do not improve well‐being in different cultural groups
South Koreans and gratitude

Answer 19

Decreases in well‐being
Gratitude may = indebtedness - now i have to repay them - unmet reciprocation

Question 20

Muslims and gratitude

Answer 20

Gratitude based in Islamic principles vs. secular gratitude
Higher well-being in faith based graditude

Question 21

Cultural differences in well‐being interventions

Answer 21

Asian and Asian Americans: Self‐administered positive psych interventions (less stigma) - gratitude journal - self administered - less stigma - higher well-being

Eastern cultures: Focus on prosocial behaviour Asian Americans and social connectedness

Question 22

Genetic and Personality Predisposition theories

Answer 22

Happiness as stable vs. other two theory groups

Nuanced relationship btw happiness and genetics

Happiness may be at personal set-points depending on conditions
Temperament, adaptation

Big five factors and happiness
Extraversion and neuroticism

Biological determinants may preduct 40% of positive emotionality and 55% of negative emotionality
Not a perfect correlation

Question 23

Materialism

Answer 23

Materialistic youth – languishing

Grateful youth – flourishing
1,035 high school students completed measures of materialism, gratitude, academic functioning, envy, depression, life satisfaction, social integration, and absorption.

Gratitude (controlling for materialism) predicted all positive outcomes

Materialism (controlling for gratitude) predicted lower GPA, higher envy and higher life satisfaction (!)

Question 24

The pursuit of money & possessions takes time away from fulfilling activities and social relationships

Answer 24

Opportunity cost

Might not be prioritizing family and friends - money cannot comfort when old

Peoples’ wants escalate – the “hedonic treadmill”

More consumption
More landfill waste
More energy consumed
More carbon emissions

Question 25

Frugal people are happier, in general

Answer 25

Choosy about how you spend your money - thrifting, buy produce on sale

Experiences are more related to happiness than possessions

Spending money on vacations, trips

Question 26

We can consume in ways which support our basic needs:

Answer 26

Competence, autonomy, relationships

Pleasure, engagement, meaning, relationships, autonomy

Self-acceptance, personal growth, environmental mastery, purpose in life, positive relations, autonomy

Consume in a way that supports positive wellbeing

Question 27

Income and well-being - tipping point of

Answer 27

Income and well-being - tipping point of about 75k/year

Someone making 200k are only marginally happier

Remember Maslow’s hierarchy!

Being thrifty can be associated with happiness

Overconsumption, materialism, greed all detract from happiness

Question 28

Happiness from long‐term relationships

Answer 28

Males and females, hetero and same‐sex
Marital quality and happiness

Just because youre married doesn’t mean you are in a good relationship

Diminishing of passion and happiness over time – not always the case!

How do we combat this “hedonic adaptation”?
Experience more positive events and feel more positive emotions

Variety is the spice of relationships
Maintain reasonable aspirations
Hope to have children, vacation etc
Cultivate appreciation
Gratitude - appreciating the other person in our life

Question 29

In long-term relationships - Hyper-masculinity and positive affect

Answer 29

Caring is a weakness for me - only girly men care

Hyper-masculinity was associated with an aversion to positive affect and strategies on previous slide

This underscores the importance of teaching young boys and men to develop positive ideas about caring and empathy

Question 30

Twenty-First Century Definitions of Happiness
Chronic happiness is governed by 3 major factors:

Answer 30

1 - Genetically determined set point for happiness - 50%

2- Happiness-relevant circumstantial factors - 10%
Household, place where you were born

3- Happiness-relevant activities and practices - 40%
Agency over this one -

Question 31

Happiness in African American and Latinx populations

Answer 31

Emphasizing cultural identity
Importance of spirituality

Question 32

Non-western “fear of happiness”

Answer 32

if things are too good, something bad will happen next

Question 33

Alvin Wong - the Happiest Man in the USA

Answer 33

Gallup polls - this is the happiness profile
Tall, Asian American man over 65 years old, who lives in Hawaii, is married with children, owns a business, earns more than $120,000/year, and is an observant Jew

Question 34

Complete Mental Health: Emotional, Social, and Psychological Well‐Being

Answer 34

3-legged stool - high in each of these pillars

Need a high level of each and no mental illness

Complete state model

Question 35

Increasing happiness in your life
David Myers - suggestions - page 160
Consider whether suggestions work for various cultural groups

Answer 35

Take control of your time - are people really able to do this?
Shelter, medication - things we need - low-level hierarchy of needs to be met

  5. Movement - physical issues, disabled, ableist things to say

Question 36

Life Enhancement Strategies

Answer 36

Love - be kind, tell those around you that you love them

Work - start meeting with positive comments about others’ contributions

Play - help others find time to play; participate in brief relaxation activities during the day

Question 37

Heart Rate and Positive Psych

Answer 37

Heart rate is an important measure for diagnosing medical conditions
Resting HR is typically between 60-100 bpm

HR varies depending on metabolic needs
HR increases with an increased need for oxygen and blood in muscles
The heart responds similarily to psychological stress and other negative emotions

Positive feelings can have a beneficial impact on the heart
Connection between mind and body

Question 38

Emotional States and Physical Health

Answer 38

Hippocrates - Four Bodily fluid that led to various issues when out of balance
black bile led to sorrow, phlegm to sleepiness, blood to sanguine feelings, and yellow bile to anger.

Fluids out of whack - effect our mental health
This emerging biological model gave us the foundational knowledge that our emotions are connected to our health

Comorbidities among psychological and physical disorders
Mood and anxiety disorders higher in medical inpatients

Depressed people report chronic physical illness

Question 39

Mechanisms of this relationship

Answer 39

Physical ailment > interferes with activities > depressed mood

Acute emotional experiences > physical health changes

Emotional experiences > physiological, cognitive, social and behavioral factors

Question 40

1. Direct Effect of Emotional states on Immunity and Illness
   Positive and negative affect associated with the release of secretory immunoglobulin A

Answer 40

S-IgA - common cold antibody
Negative mood states increase susceptibility to illness
Lab studies - exposed to respiratory virus - people who had more negative mood at investigation = more severe illness in response to the virus than those with more positive mood
Lab studies manipulating moods - causal influence of affective states
S-IgA increased after humor video but dropped after sad video

Question 41

Direct Effect of Emotional states on Immunity and Illness
MOOD

Answer 41

Humor as coping mechanism - higher baseline S-Iga - better protected from getting things like the common cold

The more older women cry - greater the health problems reported

Severe stressors over one month - more susceptible to lab-induced colds

Personality: Optimism, Hostility, Hardiness (Grit) & Physical Health

Question 42

Direct Effect of Emotional states on Immunity and Illness
Should we suppress our negative feelings in order to become sick less often?

Answer 42

Suppressing all thoughts - hard to do

Supressing our emotions leads to sympathetic activation of the cardiovascular system - try to suppress our emotions - body puts us into stress mode

Emotional suppression has been hypothesized to be related to the development of coronary heart disease
1- Work on mindful acceptance of negative emotion
2- Meditation
3- Coping with negative emotions - run, call a friend

Question 43

Direct Effect of Emotional states on Immunity and Illness
Exposure therapy

Answer 43

Facing your fears

Interventions which help people process and confront trauma produce:
Significant improvements in health functioning
Fewer self-reported health problems
Lower use of health services

Enhanced immune system activity
These results are found despite the fact that exposure causes negative affect
Working through trauma may lead to positive effects if people are able to repair negative moods

Question 44

Emotional States give us information

Answer 44

Positive emotional states tell us the enviornment is safe

change in human behavior is likely the most efficient way to reduce disease morbidity and premature mortality

Negative emotional states tell us that something in the environment needs to be addressed/corrected

Ex. panic attack - can sometimes come on without external stimuli - hard to distinguish where this is coming from
Informational piece - allows us to think about mechanisms btw emotions and physical health

Question 45

Emotional States give us information
What makes people attend to their health or seek treatment?

Answer 45

Prescence of physical symptoms

Perceptions of vulnerability - which are altered by mood

People in a good mood perceive less vulnerability - dont believe that they will be vulnerable to illness
Good mood - seek treatment less bc they dont think they are vulnerable
people made to feel sad report more physical symptoms than those made to feel happy

conditions under which mood can systematically alter symptom reports.

Peoples belief in their ability to change behavior

Happy people belief in their own self-efficacy
Have to believe that you are capable of change and that the change will actually do something

Question 46

Emotional States and Psychological Resilience

Answer 46

Good health practices are often difficult and psychologically taxing
Going to the gym
Cooking good meals everyday
Meditation
Take a lot of motivation, planning

To adopt precautions, we must be willing to accept that we are vulnerable
Not as easy at a young age to realize the vulnerability

Anxiety can lead to noncompliance with screenings
People dont go to doctor if they’re anxious about their health - worried about outcome - catastrophizing

Positive emotional states can:
Facilitate resilience that people may need if they are told they have or may develop a health problem

Facilitate personal resources - humor - that can be used for creativity in thought and action
Bring out the best in us

Offer people the opportunity to consider and plan for future outcomes
Being a person who is positive - deal with negative issues a bit better
Someone who is optimistic makes better health choices
Pessimist - harder to plan for things associated with treatment

Question 47

Emotional States and Psychological Resilience
Optimism

Answer 47

Lots of research supports the connection between optimism and positive health outcomes

Both domain-specific and dispositional
The mechanism may be that optimism provides resources

Ex. someone coping with a health problem who is optimistic can focus on and plan for future outcomes, rather than be focused on the present moment

It could also be related to information seeking
Optimists spend time reading about health risks, and are more hopeful about their futures

Can we elicit positive affect?
Yes
Downward social comparison - at least its not brain cancer, not that bad - im ok for now
Provides short term benefits - mood regulation
Long term coping
The health care professional can also inspire hope

Question 48

CHanges in Mood and Health-Relevant Behaviors

Answer 48

We behave in certain ways to regulate our mood

Smoking, drinking, eating, exercise

We desire to repair or improve negative moods
Sometimes the bad behaviors make it worse - guilt

Engage in certain behaviors because we know it will elevate our mood

Question 49

Mood and the Elicitation of Social Support

Answer 49

Remember - our superpower as humans is that we are social animals

Social support is related to lower premature mortality, greater resistance to communicable disease, lower rates of CHD, faster recovery from heart disease and heart surgery.

Social support can affect health by:
The buffering hypothesis
The direct effect hypothesis

Types of social support:
—Affection - someone you can be affectionate with
—-Emotion - someone you can talk about your emotions
—-Informational - talk to get advice
—-Tangible support - someone to help you move the fridge
—-Positive social interactions