Positive Assumptions

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the positive approach?

Answer 1

Acknowledgement of free will
Authenticity of goodness and excellence
Focus on the good life

Question 2

How does Seligman believe we can live a good life?

Answer 2

By bettering ourselves and strengthening our natural qualities. We should develop positive connections with others, to have positive individual traits and develop life regulation qualities.

Question 3

What is the difference a pleasant life, good life and meaningful life?

Answer 3

Pleasant life= positive emotions and daily satisfaction
Good life= discovering our strengths and enhancing our lives
Meaningful life= using our strengths for a greater purpose

Question 4

What are 5 ways we have acknowledgement of free will?

Answer 4

1. We are in charge and in control of our free will and behaviour
2. We are in charge of our own psychological and emotional well being, meaning that happiness is accessible to all
3. Being too deterministic can be detrimental, it leaves us feeling helpless and powerless to change
4. Happiness comes from feeling in control of our lives
5. Having the chance to make free choices in our lives can give us psychological and physiological benefits

Question 5

What did Langer and Rodin (1976) argue?

Answer 5

Being in control over our lives is also related to better health outcomes e.g. residents of a nursing home lived longer and reported better health when they were empowered to take control over their own lives

Question 6

What is authenticity of goodness and excellence?

Answer 6

It is focusing on developing positive traits and therefore by bettering ourselves and focusing on self-improvement, mental illness can be treated in a more positive way
It is focusing on the good things in life and improvement of well being a fulfilment ,rather than just fixing what is wrong

Question 7

What did Seligman (2002) argue about traits like virtue and happiness?

Answer 7

That they have been neglected, and are seen as less authentic than negative traits, however positive emotions are every bit as authentic as negative ones

Question 8

What is Seligmans theory of signature strengths?

Answer 8

Signature strengths are ones that are most essential to who we are. Using a questionnaire, Seligman found that the most satisfied, upbeat people were those who had discovered and exploited their unique examples of signature strengths including love of learning, bravery, humour, creativity and persistence