Unit 4 Positive Psychology
purpose of positive psychology (2)
1. to discover and promote factors that allow individuals 2. communicates humans to thrive.
How can we manipulate our life?
1/2 is up to us 1/2 is based on our surroundings
Does health correlate with well-being?
No. How people view their health depends on their emotional state and objective measures of their health from doctors
Relative deprivation principle
People's happiness is relative to others' attainment of happiness.
three events of explanatory style: (3 P's)
Permanence, Persuasiveness, Personalization
Purposeful future-mindness
This is the pursuit of personal ideals and goals
Dynamic equilibrium theory
Well-being remains relatively consistent over the life span because of personality, although current events in people's lives can either raise or lower well-being temporarily
Humility
accurate assessment of abilities and achievements where mistakes and limitations can be recognized.
microflow
activities that people engage in during boring or tedious activities ex. a student doodling during a boring lecture
disputation
arguing with oneself about pessimistic beliefs
subjective danger
arises from a person's lack of skill. can be overcome through discipline and preparation.
altruism
being helped, helping, and being supported
Courage
being unafraid of death, being able to overcome obstacles, and being willing to take risks based on principles
Personalization
belief that bad events are one's own fault rather than due to circumstances
optimism
belief that bad events are temporary, are not one's own fault, and are confined to present circumstances.
Permeance
belief that bad events that happen will always be there to affect life
Persuasiveness
belief that failure in one area translates to all other areas of life
Two techniques that can be used to deal with pessimistic thoughts: (2 D's)
distraction, disputation
people with high sense of well being tend to be
extroverts, optimists, and worry free
enjoyment
good feeling people experience when they are challenged beyond homeostatic pursuits. Enjoyable experiences produce flow.
pleasure
good feeling that comes from satisfying homeostatic needs. (hunger) Feelings of pleasure are usually temporary.
Explanatory Style
habitual way of explaining bad events.
Integrity and ethics
living up to the principles and dreams of life.
Extrinsic goals
negatively correlated with well-being.
Subjective well being
pervasive sense that life has been and is good
Well-being
pervasive sense that life has been and is good. It is an ongoing perception that this time in one's life, or even life as a whole, is fulfilling, meaningful, and pleasant
Intrinsic goals
positively correlated with well-being. comes from inside an individual rather than from any external or outside rewards, such as money or grades.
Positive Psychology
scientific study of optimal human functioning
self-esteem
self-referential mood that reflects one's appraisal of success or failure in important life goal pursuits.
positive subjunctive experiences (6)
sleep omega 3 exercise social connections light exposure anti-primitive behavior
Flow
state of optimal experience. Flow activities are done for the sake of doing them and not for extrinsic rewards.
satisfaction
the feeling that one has accomplished a goal during a certain period of time. remains unaffected if people feel that they are reaching their goals
what is the goal of positive psychology?
to consider optimal human functioning at several levels
why do humans use social comparison
to determine how well they are achieving satisfaction with life
distraction
trying to think of something else besides the pessimistic belief
objective danger
unpredictable physical event that a person can prepare for in advance.
Why are there other countries (Denmark, Costa Rica) that are happier than the US?
value family more than money no army they have faith and optimism
