Positive approach - Assumption 1: Acknowledgment of free will

Question 1

Does Positive psychology take a determinist or free will approach

Answer 1

• free will
• we have freedom to develop our strengths and our own well being
• happiness is accessible to all of us , as we are in control of our lives and have the capacity to make choices

Question 2

what is the example from psychology

Answer 2

research by Diener and Seligman (2002)

Question 3

How was the experiment conducted

Answer 3

• they looked at ties that students had to friends and family
• measured amount of time they invested in theses relationships

Question 4

what was found from the experiment

Answer 4

• students with strongest ties = happier
• and a negative correlation between level of happiness and depression

Question 5

therefore what can be concluded from the experiment

Answer 5

• we are in control of our happiness
• we can choose to engage in activities that are known to make us happy, and which alleviate feelings of low mood

Question 6

How does this assumption link to the behaviour of ‘nurturing social relationships’

Answer 6

• Lyubomirsky says 40% of the variance in happiness is due to intentional activity
• We can exercise our free will to improve and maintain our relationships, which inturn increase our well-being
• Diner and Seligman found that…