Unit 1 - Positive Approach Flashcards
(28 cards)
3 assumptions of the positive approach
- Acknowledgement of free will
- The good life
- Authenticity of goodness and excellence
Acknowledgement of free will explains that…
Humans are in charge of our own emotions, and we have FREE we to change how we feel
Happiness is not genetic or due to luck
Authenticity of goodness and excellence explains that…
Happiness is as natural as anxiety/stress
Our ‘signature strengths’ (kindness humour etc) are ignored as influences on behaviour as we focus too much on disorders
We should focus on the good aspects of life instead
Focus on the good life involves…
Focussing on ‘the good life’ and factors that contribute to a well lived life
- Positive connection to others (ability to love, trust, forgive)
- Positive individual traits (personal qualities)
- Life regulation qualities (independent or faith in decisions)
Positive approach link to human behaviour
Relationship formation (authenticity) - forming/maintaining relationships allow to develop sig strengths, thus strive for happier, content life
Relationship formation (good life) - strive for good life, positive connection to others includes ability to love, trust etc -all essential for relationship formation and maintenance
Therapy of the positive approach
Mindfulness
3 Components of mindfulness
- Gain control of thoughts (train to focus on current thoughts/emotions/feelings - gain greater awareness of thoughts/feelings)
- Mediation an mindfulness breathing (physically remove individual from daily interaction)
- Informal practices of mindfulness (once learned, practice in daily life)
Strengths of mindfulness therapy
+ doesn’t drag up past
+ encourages acceptance
+ MBCT found most helpful for depression
Weaknesses of mindfulness therapy
- individual mindfulness not as good as group mindfulness
Classic study of the positive approach
Myers and diener- who is happy? Literature review
Method of Myers and dieners study
(Literature review thus no procedure) 1. Select topic 2. Search literature 3. Develop argument 4. Surely literature 5. Critique literature 6. Write review Repeat
What are the 9 topic Myers and diener looked at in their study
Age Sex Culture Race Work Money Traits Relationships Faith
What did Myers and diener find in the topic of age
No real difference
Surveyed 170,00, 16 countries, no age more happy
What did Myers and diener find in the topic of sex
No real difference
Women x2 more likely to depression & anxiety
Men x5 more likely to alchaholism
What did Myers and diener find in the topic of culture
Large difference
Portugal 10%, Netherlands 40%, individualistic societies +ve expression encouraged
What did Myers and diener find in the topic of race
No real difference
Different nationalities score similar on self esteem, all value things they excel at
What did Myers and diener find in the topic of work
Strong correlation
Increased work satisfaction gives increased life satisfaction
What did Myers and diener find in the topic of money
Moderate correlations
Correlation not -ve! Am be satisfaction of money = happier
What did Myers and diener find in the topic of traits
Strong correlation
Self esteem & sene of wellbeing correlation, happy people tend to e extroverted
What did Myers and diener find in the topic of relationships
Correlation
Those with ore friends tend to be happier, 7+ intimate friends are healthier & happier
What did Myers and diener find in the topic of faith
+ve correlation
Report higher happiness when religious - less likely to be a delinquent
What conclusions did Myers and diener draw from their study?
- viable theory must recognise importance of adaptation
- different cultures construe world in different ways
- non conflicting goals 7 making progress are SWB
- knowing age/sex/race doesn’t inform on happiness!!!
Strengths of Myers and deniers study
G
R - some similar findings
A - application, change can be used to make people happier, used ins workplace
V - external validity
E - no risk of harm, no deception, informed consent
Weaknesses of Myers and diener study
G - happiness is individual, lots of literature was western
R
A. Some argue happiness is 50% genetics, 10% circumstance 40% self control
V - poor validity as subjective- bias reports r socially desirable answers
E - may be upset f asked if you are happy
