Positive Contemporary Debate - Relevance Of Positive Psychology In Todays Society Flashcards
(16 cards)
Why is ‘the relevance if positive psychology in todays society’ a controversial debate?
- traditional approaches focus on explaining and treating mental disorders
- Martin seligman said we should be focusing and scientifically understanding positive states of mind
- ‘shines the light of scientific inquiry into previously dark and neglected corners’ - Linley
- shouldn’t replace therapy for things such as anxiety depression ptsd but can raise wellbeing above zero for the general public
- findings aren’t strong enough to move toward applications
- produced exaggerated findings and there’s a perception people can reduce illness with optimism
What are the 3 main themes for the relevance of positive psychology?
1) education
2) work
3) health
What research did Martin seligman do to support positive psychology being relevant in education?
He believed pitting positive psychology into the curriculum can increase students happiness and self worth and results in better behaviour and ability to learn because he says how we learn in school can be beneficial to our happiness.
In 2009 he did research involved 347 9th grade students where they were randomly assigned to a PPC class or a non PPC class, with feedback from students teachers and parents they found those in the PPC class were more cooperative and had better social skills
What research was done in a Baltimore school to support the relevance of positive psychology in education?
2018, 300 8th graders with mean age 12 in a school in Baltimore (economically deprived high drug and crime rates) MBSR improved negative effects of stress and trauma among low income minority students. Replaced detention with mindfulness moment room which improved behaviour as no exclusions since implementing. Positive psychology curriculum recognition of values in action character strengths. Benefits of teaching older students about positivity and happiness, Bristol uni (2021) students studying science of happiness course (psychology and neuroscience of happiness) alongside completing practical tasks such as acts of kindness and gratitude journals has a side effects of improved mental wellbeing.
What did spence and shortt say that is against the relevance of positive psychology?
Most research into effects of positive psychology curriculum is short term and small scale. Seligman acknowledged his own research only really had benefits for middles class students who worked hard and had better social skills anyway. Lack of research into positive psychology being relevant in schools for students of different backgrounds e.g. working class students
What other research from Oxford Cambridge and other unis are against the relevance of positive psychology in education?
Randomised control of MYRIAD (my resilience in adolescence) programs in uk schools in 2022. Half the schools did decimated sessions of mindfulness and the others continued to use methods previously used. Results found little evidence of universal effectiveness. Dalgliesh found no evidence that mindfulness was anymore effective than any way of teaching children to manage their mental health (reported by BBC news)
What research by mihaly cskiszentmihalyi supports the use of positive psychology in the workplace?
Mihaly csiskzentmihalyi and lefevre gave 78 adults pagers for a week and every time they beeped they recorded what they were doing and how they felt, they found that people had better psychological wellbeing when they were in a state of flow which happened more at work than at home, thus suggest it is relevant in the workplace as people can be fully engaged and absorbed by their job ans ensure they have variety and see the purpose of what they are ding meaning their job contributes to better psychological wellbeing of the workforce.
What research by Oswald et al in 2009 supports the use of positive psychology in the workplace?
276 participants to show happiness increased productivity, one group shown a 10 minute comedy clip and one not then given a paid task (maths/arithmetic simple/repetitive paid for every correct answer calculated) happy group were 12% more productive. Scientific evidence happiness can increase productivity in the workplace, benefits for workers as increased wellbeing and for business as increased productivity so higher profits. Benefits to economy in reducing days lost to sick absence
What evidence is there to say positive psychology is not relevant in the workplace?
Critics argue a job as a source if wellbeing is a luxury not relevant to everyone. Some people need to work tedious jobs where they can’t achieve flow. This means the benefits that Oswald found about feeling happy at work are not relevant to some people in the workplace. Suggesting positive psychology offers nothing new and is o key relevant to richer societies where people can afford to choose jobs with flow
What research by Davidson et all support the relevance of positive psychology in the health sector?
2003 effects of mindfulness mediation on brain function ans immune system. compared to a control group the MBSR group showed more brain activity in areas associated with positive emotion. All participants given an influenza jab ans MBSR group produced more antibodies
What research is there by kubzanky and thurston to support the relevancy of positive psychology in the health sector?
2007, followed 6000+ men and women 25-74 for 20 years, participants with high levels of emotional vitality (enthusiasm, hopefulness, engagement in life, ability t face life stressed with emotional balance) reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Applies to medical professionals may treat patients with advice on how to increase happiness along with other lifestyle advice. Suggests positive psychology such as mindfulness can affect immune system supporting relevance in health sector.
What was wrong with Davisson’s research that may mean that positive psychology is not relevant in the health sector?
Hard to establish cause and effect as those in MBSR group may gave naturally stronger immune systems and activity in brain areas linked with positive emotions
What is more evidence to show positive psychology is not relevant to the health sector?
Most research into positive psycho,ogy and health is correlational so cause and effect cannot be established as some people may have a predisposition to good health which makes them happier and have higher levels of emotional vitality. Health sector may be reluctant to invest in positive psychology until more controlled research has been conducted
What ethical implications are there to the relevance of positive psychology in today’s society?
Ethically appropriate to equip young people wirh life long skills to manage wellbeing. Economic implications as managing wellbeing is a buffer against mental health so will in turn reduce future costs to NHS
Unethical to suggest happiness is in one’s control as many people face social and economic hardships which affect happiness. 1/5 people in uk live in poverty
What are the social implications of positive psychology in today’s society?
If healthcare education and workplaces invest in positive psychology it will lead to a happier healthier society
What economic implications are there to the relevance of positive psychology in today’s society?
Boosts productivity if there are happier employees who work more productively which could improve the uks overall rank for world happiness
