Ch16 Positive Psychology

Describe the broaden-and-build model of positive emotions.

Positive emotions spawn nonspecific action tendencies such as helping others, socializing, trying something new. They also counter negative emotions, such as fear and stress. They also promote new though-action tendencies which increase creativity and playfulness. Joy opens the mind while anger and depression narrow it.

Define positive psychology, and explain its origins.

Positive psychology is a social and intellectual movement in psychology that focuses on human strengths and how people can flourish and be successful. The emergence of positive psychology was a reaction to the predominately negative focus on the negative emotions in discipline.

Identify positive psychology's three lines of inquiry.

1. Positive Subjective experiences- such as good moods, positive emotions, happiness. 2.Positive individual traits- strengths and virtues 3.Positive institutions- the settings and organizations that promote civil discourse ( close knit families, quality schools, good work environments)

Explain the flow experience and typical activities that trigger it.

Flow is a state of being in which a person becomes fully involved and engage in the present moment by some challenging and rewarding activity. Flow is triggered when someone engages in an activity which matches their skill level, and that they find intrinsically rewarding.

Explain how counting your blessings and expressions of gratitude can promote happiness.

Gratitude helps you focus on the good things in life increasing mood and overall happiness. It also enhances social connection with others.

Recognize the psychological benefits of sharing a positive story about oneself and sharing good news.

It helps with self love, and builds social connections.

Outline the advantages of mindfulness over mindlessness.

Mindfulness in an experience in which people are sensitive to contact and are more focused on the present. Mindfulness increases impulse control, people become less likely to evaluate themselves, and they are more mindful of their actions. Mindlessness, is engaging in scripted behavior, almost as if on autopilot. You miss a great deal of information mindless

Distinguish between moods and emotions, and discuss the benefits of positive moods.

Mood is an response to subjective experiences, much more distinct that emotions. Emotions are much stronger subjective experiences. Positive moods can enhance creativity, quick thoughts (faster thoughts linked with better mood, slower thoughts linked with negative mood)

Characterize positive psychology as a counterweight to the historic and dominant negative focus in the discipline.

Positive psychology provides a needed balance in discipline, it adds positive emotions to the mix of negative emotions which provides the best outcome. Positive psychology focuses on harnessing peoples strengths, virtues, and other good qualities.

Explain why positive psychology can provide a framework for new as well as older research on well-being.

This new form of psychology is causing many new questions as well as old questions to be answered and reevaluated

Understand how the speed and variability of thought are related to mood.

faster thoughts linked with better mood, slower thoughts linked with negative mood,