Positive psych

Question 1

State the themes in positive psych (3)

Answer 1

Pleasant life (enjoyment) - optimal experience of normal aspects, least important, broaden and build theory. Good life (engagement) - related to Aristotelian Eudaimonia - personality strengths, talents + skills (flow). Meaningful life (affiliation) - positive sense of well-being through belonging, values + virtues

Question 2

The 3 factors which make up the 3 factor health evaluation are…

Answer 2

Likelihood of serious illnesses, life after onset, lifespan

Question 3

Positive psychology is the study of…

Answer 3

Study of conditions and processes contributing to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people, groups and institutions.

Question 4

List the reasons why we aren’t happier (3)

Answer 4

Relative standards model (social comparison, links with personality), affluenza (materialistic values spreading virally), paradox of choice (tyranny of freedom, satisficers vs maximisers)

Question 5

Describe self-determination theory

Answer 5

Order and predictability, evolutionary function, basic need, similar to security needs?

Question 6

Explain subjective happiness

Answer 6

Hedonic component of well-being, cognitive component, rating of current state of being and discrepancy between current and ideal state. Affect - balance of experiencing negative/positive. Positive effects - less illness, trust, optimism

Question 7

What measurements are used for global evaluation?

Answer 7

PANAS, SWL, interview studies, subjective happiness scale, physiological markers, large scale studies

Question 8

What makes us happy? (3)

Answer 8

Income (positive association with SWVB, marital status, gender), relationships (social interaction, regardless of personality), work/employment (job/careers)

Question 9

Describe Eudaimonic happiness

Answer 9

Well-being encapsulates actualisation of human potential. Pleasure + satisfaction is too simplistic, inclusion of purpose + meaning

Question 10

AIM approach stands for what?

Answer 10

A = attention, I = interpretation, M = Memory

Question 11

Flow is…

Answer 11

Intense experiental involvement in moment to moment activity. Experienced when performing at best with 100% attention - sex, music, sports, study

Question 12

What is the prevalence of flow?

Answer 12

10/15% never, 10/15% every day

Question 13

State the components of flow (7)

Answer 13

Structured activity, balance of skills, complete concentration, sense of control, transformation of time, activity for own sake, personality

Question 14

The 3 components of self-determination are…

Answer 14

Autonomy - personal violation, not coercion. Competence - ability to affect the environment, consistent with desired outcomes. Relatedness - connection with caring for group peers, conflict with autonomy needs.

Question 15

List the 6 personality strength categories

Answer 15

Wisdom/knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, transcendence

Question 16

Define optimism

Answer 16

Tendency to view current and future states as optimal

Question 17

Explain Frankl’s ideas and 7 major sources of meaning

Answer 17

Creative, experiental, attitudinal. 7 major sources of meaning = achievement, acceptance, relationships, relationships, intimacy, religion, self-transcendence, fairness

Question 18

The 3 dimensions of explanatory styles are…

Answer 18

Internal vs external, stable vs unstable, global vs specific

Question 19

Define gratitude

Answer 19

Attitude of thankfulness for benefit to be received. State or trait? Contrasts with indebtedness.

Question 20

Define altruism

Answer 20

Principle of concern for welfare of others. Distinguished from duty + loyalty. Motivation to sacrifice valuables without expectation of benefit