Feeling Well/ The Science and Practice of Emotional Well Being

What is one way that one's sense of meaning positively affects others?

When people have meaning in life, they tend to be more altruistic and more willing to make meaningful contributions to their community.

Which campus resource(s) should students access if they want to explore ways of getting involved in service and volunteering opportunities?

Which campus resource(s) should students access if they want to explore ways of getting involved in service and volunteering opportunities?

how might the emotional needs of a child differ from those of someone in old age?

a child requires connection, reflection, and interaction with parents in the small, in-between moments (e.g. when clenaing or driving or shopping)

method in naturalistic monitoring (e.g. salivary cortisol sampling) are useful for exploring the biological correlations of positive affect because they

allow for more fine grained analysis of between- and within-person factors

Methods in naturalistic monitoring (e.g., salivary cortisol sampling) are useful for exploring the biological correlates of positive affect because they

allow for more fine-grained analyses of between- and within-person factors

within the context of the strength family contract (SFC) goal-setting exercise; why are approach goals (e.g. "what kinds of things make us happy?) more effective than avoidance goals (i.e. how to reduct conflict, minimize stress and triggers) when it come to fostering family happiness?

approach goals generate expectations of mutualistic reciprocity, whereas avoidance goals generally decrease them - wrong

which of the following cross-cultural variations have been observed in happiness studies?

collectivistic cultures focus on social engagement and community happiness, while individualistic cultures prioritize individual happiness and self-esteem

Identify the three principal neural networks underlying intrinsic connectivity

default mode network (DMN), Salience network (SN), central executive network (CEN)

what is one way the brain changes in response to conscious efforts to improve emotional well-being via evidence-based activities and interventions?

developing a habit of focusing on positive experiences can "hardwire" the brain for greater wellbeing

what is the significance of the brain-gut relationship in the context of emotional well-being

disturbance in the gut microbiome can affect the gut brain axis

which technique is specifically linked to enhancing emotional well-being through the practice of gratitude?

gratitude writing

which of the following statements is true regarding the role of positive affect in work life?

happier people tend to be more likely to attain job interviews, score higher in John evaluations by supervisors, her better productivity, and handle manager handle ment

what is the clinical significance of lower cortisol levels observed in people with higher levels of positive affect?

high cortisol is implicated in a range of chronic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, CHD, depression, and autoimmune conditions

how can the brain change in response to interventions targeting volunteering?

improved executive functioning

Describe the main focus of emotional well-being research as it relates to the brain + body connection

investigating how the brain and body contribute to emotional well-being

which of the following is an example of one of the positive effects of meditation in the context of emotional well-being

meditating has been shown to significantly improve executive functioning

which of the following behaviors have been shown to be effective in fostering positive affect?

spending time in nature nurturing moments of awe

What is the primary focus of the field of brain science (neuroscience)?

the study of the structure and function of the brain and nervous system and how it contributes to various aspects of human and animal behavior

what is the primary goal of Family Positive Psychology Intervention (FPPI) approaches?

to develop positive skills and capacities (e.g. building strength, mindfulness, compassion, and grateful) and increase positive outcomes (e.g. happiness, love, family cooperation)

what can happiness seekers do to avoid hedonic adaption?

vary their positive practices (which activities to perform, how many, how often, and with whom)

Which of the following statements represents a limitation of MRI based measurements?

while powerful in its ability to generate high-quality images in a controlled lab, MRI technology is unable to yield valid insights into how the brain works in naturalistic settings

How does the definition of meaning in life (i.e., sense of meaning) differ from the meaning of life?

"Meaning in life" pertains to the feeling that the things we do, the relationships we have, and the experiences we engage in are significant and contribute to a larger purpose beyond our individual existence. In contrast, "the meaning of life" typically alludes to the idea of a broader, universal truth or essence of existence. It often involves deeper introspection and may not be immediately apparent to individuals on a personal level.

What is the primary focus of positive psychology? - Analyzing negative emotions - Diagnosing psychological issues - Advancing the science of psychological well-being - Understanding mental disorders

Advancing the science of psychological well-being

Characteristics of resilience theory include which of the following? - All answers are correct - Cultural sensitivity - Threshold and protective factors - Dynamic process

All answers are correct

What are some of the benefits of positive psychology? - It highlights the strengths of an individual as opposed to focusing only on weaknesses - It paved the way for further empowering healthy/typical people - All answers are correct - It is just as interested in building up the best things in life as it is in repairing the worst

All answers are correct

Which of the following measurement approaches would NOT be suitable for exploring how people manage their emotions in response to anxiety or social stress? - Neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI, EEG) - Subjective report - An online Myers-Briggs quiz - Physiological analysis (e.g., eye-tracking, breathing patterns, heart rate variability)

An online Myers-Briggs quiz

What does the Best Possible Self intervention consist of?

Asks participants to envision their future as their best possible self and then write about what they imagined.

According to the theory at the heart of the Hedonic Treadmill hypothesis, what is the most important factor following a life-changing event such as bereavement or divorce?

Changes in our emotional set-point (baseline, neutral mood state) which can be permanent and leave us more prone to happiness or sadness as a result

All of the following factors are associated with resilient individuals, except - More likely to experience positive affect (happiness, joy, pleasure) - Socially connected and integrated - Deal with problems on their own - Less likely to experience prolonged negative emotions (anxiety, fear, sadness)

Deal with problems on their own

What role does emotion regulation play in contributing to emotional well-being?

Effective emotion regulation is a significant contributor to enhancing emotional well-being.

How can acts of charity and kindness promote resilience and enhance emotional well-being? - Acts of charity and kindness only contribute to physical health - Engaging in acts of charity and kindness have been shown to have little to no effect on emotional well-being - Engaging in altruistic acts can produce positive emotions and an enhanced sense of meaning and purpose, which can positively impact the way we perceive our relations with others—especially when things get tough - Emotional well-being is mostly determined by external factors like income and social power

Engaging in altruistic acts can produce positive emotions and an enhanced sense of meaning and purpose, which can positively impact the way we perceive our relations with others—especially when things get tough

What are some key 'rewirement' practices to enhance emotional well-being, as suggested in psychological research?

Engaging in practices like socializing, expressing gratitude, helping others, focusing on positive thoughts, savoring experiences, and physical activity.

Which statement below best captures the essence of mattering in the context of meaning in life?

Even considering how big the universe is, I can say that my life matters."

Which of the following is an example of how exercise impacts emotional well-being? - Exercise promotes the growth of new neurons - Exercise only promotes physical health—not emotional well-being - The stress of engaging in highly strenuous activities often negatively impacts emotional well-being - Exercise can increase muscle mass in the body; Muscle mass in the legs has been shown to be a key contributor to neurogenesis

Exercise promotes the growth of new neurons

How can elements within the Exosystem impact an individual's goal setting and motivation?

Factors such as parental work conditions and neighborhood resources, which are part of the Exosystem, indirectly affect a child's goal setting and motivation.

What do most people regard as the most significant contributor to meaning in life?

Family

According to Ken Sheldon's goal pursuit model, what are the two primary motivations that drive humans to pursue goals?

Growth and well-being.

How does happiness help us to be more productive?

Happiness increases the release of dopamine, which serves the dual purpose of boosting happiness and activating various learning centers in the brain. This activation enables greater adaptability and flexibility in one's thinking and behavior.

What is the significance of seeking community for emotional well-being? - Having a supportive community and healthy relationships can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation - Emotional well-being is solely determined by an individual's personalty traits - Relationships have no impact on emotional well-being - Community and relationships are only relevant for physical health outcomes (e.g., cardiovascular health)

Having a supportive community and healthy relationships can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation

Which of the following is an example of something that can be conceptualized as both a contributor and a consequence of emotional well-being but is not itself a core component of emotional well-being? - Everyday experiences of joy, wonder, or nostalgia - A want or desire to pursue some sort of goal - Feeling that what you do matters - Healthy social connections

Healthy social connections

Which of the following best describeshedonic adaptation?

Hedonic adaptation is the diminishing impact of positive changes on happiness, counteracted by practices like savoring and appreciating positive experiences.

A significant obstacle to both continued engagement and continued benefits of positive activities is hedonic adaptation. What is hedonic adaptation in simple, real-world terms?

Hedonic adaptation is the tendency for humans to quickly return to their baseline level of happiness, even after experiencing positive events or changes in their lives

What is a potential consequence of having high levels of emotional well-being in the workplace?

High emotional well-being positively influences job performance and employee engagement.

What is an example of a demographic influence on meaning in life?

Higher levels of meaning in life for women than men due to women being more likely to seek out relationships, activities, and engagements.

Which of the following are some of the recorded benefits of the Best Possible Self intervention? - Improved mood, happier, more satisfaction, greater optimism, fewer health issues - Improved muscle mass, wider social circle, happier - Increased self-esteem, increased self-awareness - Improvements in communication

Improved mood, happier, more satisfaction, greater optimism, fewer health issues

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation comes from within and is driven by personal enjoyment or interest in the activity, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or consequences

How does intrinsic motivation influence emotional well-being in the context of goal-setting?

Intrinsic motivation enhances emotional well-being by fostering engagement and satisfaction in activities aligned with personal values.

How can engaging in hobbies and activities contribute to resilience and emotional well-being? - Hobbies and activities have little to no impact on emotional well-being - Investing time to engage in meaningful activities can increase positive emotions and contribute to a sense of meaning and greater life satisfaction, even if those activities are not necessarily seen as valuable to everyone else - Hobbies are only relevant for physical health, not emotional well-being - Emotional well-being mainly comes down to individual personality traits and genetics

Investing time to engage in meaningful activities can increase positive emotions and contribute to a sense of meaning and greater life satisfaction, even if those activities are not necessarily seen as valuable to everyone else

What is the significance of the hypothalamus in the context of emotional well-being? - It plays a critical role in governing sleep-wake cycles - It governs our body's hormonal stress response - It was theorized to be the seat of the soul before the advent of contemporary brain science - It interprets visual stimuli and sends hormones to the cerebellar cortex

It governs our body's hormonal stress response

Why is the mastery approach motivation style beneficial for learning and achievement?

It promotes a love of learning, intrinsic motivation, and a focus on personal progress rather than external rewards.

Which of the following produces the most long-lasting sense of well-being?

Meaningful life

What is 'miswanting' and how does it affect our pursuit of happiness?

Miswanting involves incorrectly assuming certain achievements or possessions will bring lasting happiness, leading to a focus on the wrong goals.

How is sense of meaning different than immediate, moment-to-moment experiences of pleasure, joy, contentment, and emotional fulfillment that individuals encounter in their daily lives?

Moment-to-moment experiences of positive emotion are conceptualized as experiential features of emotional well-being, while sense of meaning is seen as a deeper, more reflective assessment that goes beyond momentary emotional experiences.

Which of the following is an example of a research topic that is NOT lacking within contemporary emotional well-being research? - Positive affect as a broad concept - How specific emotions and dispositions affect emotional well-being - The role that emotional breath and variation plays in shaping emotional well-being - How negative emotions like fear and anger interact with emotional well-being

Positive affect as a broad concept

Which of the following behaviors have been shown to be effective in fostering positive affect?

Practicing gratitude, compassion, and kindness

How does the practice of mindfulness contribute to resilience and emotional well-being? - It doesn't because emotional well-being mainly comes down to genetics - Practicing mindfulness can reduce stress and anxiety and improve emotional decision-making (maybe) - Mindfulness has been shown to have positive physical benefits on outcomes like cardiovascular health but little to no effect on emotional well-being (wrong) - Mindfulness has little to no impact on emotional well-being

Practicing mindfulness can reduce stress and anxiety and improve emotional decision-making

This methodological approach to emotional well-being research involves examining the influence of individual differences in positive affect on biological responses under highly controlled conditions. - Standardized emotion testing - Naturalistic feeling monitoring - Temperament analysis - Psychophysiological stress testing

Psychophysiological stress testing

Which of the following is a valid definition of Purpose that has been used in the literature?

Purpose is a central, self-organizing life aim that organizes and stimulates goals, manages behaviors, and provides a sense of meaning.

What is the impact of social connections on emotional well-being?

Quality social connections are key contributors to higher levels of emotional well-being.

Within the context of the Strong Ancestry-Strong Family intervention, how can coming together as a family to share stories of the strength and resilience of ancestors and relatives foster positive affect for children?

Reflecting on stories of ancestral resilience helps to enrich the meaning of 'who we are as a family' and helps children see how their family resilience fits into the broader scheme of life

Which of the following is an example of something that can contribute to or result from emotional well-being but is not a fundamental feature of emotional being itself? -Resilience - Positive Affect - Goal Pursuit - Sense of Meaning

Resilience

What is the primary distinction of self-concordant goals compared to traditional achievement goals?

Self-concordant goals emphasize understanding the personal 'why' behind a goal and its alignment with individual values and desires.

What are the benefits of pursuing self-concordant goals according to research?

Setting and achieving self-concordant goals contributes to increased life satisfaction, better mental and physical health, and higher job satisfaction and performance.

Which of the following best describes the relationship between emotional well-being and societal/group norms? - Emotional well-being is solely determined by individual coping skills - Emotional well-being is universally the same across all cultures - Societal norms have no impact on emotional well-being - Societal/group norms can shape the perception and expression of emotion

Societal/group norms can shape the perception and expression of emotion

Which of the following measurement approaches would be ideal for measuring notable changes in an individual's sense of meaning following an intervention? - Gathering behavioral data via a fitness tracker - Eye-tracking and heart rate monitoring - Subjective report - Neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI, EEG)

Subjective report

How might factors in the Microsystem influence an individual's goal setting and motivation?

Supportive relationships and positive experiences in personal environments like family and school, characteristic of the Microsystem, significantly shape an individual's goals and motivation.

According to Dr. Raphael Rose, chronic stress is associated with lower immune functioning, memory problems, and cardiac problems - T - F

T

According to the "Damage Model", some people hold a false belief about family trauma such that if a family is having trouble, the chances are high that you will also suffer lasting emotional impacts. - T - F

T

Which three major theories have yielded meaningful and scientifically valid insights into why connecting with nature is beneficial to our emotional well-being? - The biophilia hypothesis, attention restoration theory, stress-reduction theory - Stress-reduction theory, systems health theory, animal magnetism - The earth-foot hypothesis, string theory, partial order theory - The theory of the "wood-wide web", partial order theory, ecological systems theory

The biophilia hypothesis, attention restoration theory, stress-reduction theory

What is the relationship between positive emotions and successful life outcomes?

There is a substantial amount of evidence suggesting positive emotions precede successful life outcomes

What is one reason why comparing emotional well-being results across studies has been difficult? - There is often a lack of internal agreement among raters and observers (wrong) - Methodological rigor across experimental studies is often lacking - Experimenters often do not employ consistent time-sampling techniques - There is too much variation in how emotional well-being is conceptualized and defined in the literature

There is too much variation in how emotional well-being is conceptualized and defined in the literature

What is the primary purpose of UConntact at UConn?

To connect students to events, organizations, and unique opportunities that are relevant to their passions and hobbies

Which of the following is NOT a component of emotional well-being according to Park et al.'s working definition? - Life satisfaction - Positive affect - Total absence of negative emotions - Pursuit of personal goals

Total absence of negative emotions

Which campus online resource can students visit to access pre-recorded yoga tutorials and exercises?

UConn Student Health and Wellness, UConn Library's Wellness Guide, SHARP Research Lab

What is the significance of goal/personality fit in the context of self-concordance and emotional well-being according to Self-Determination Theory (SDT)?

A strong goal/personality fit, where goals are self-concordant and aligned with personal values, significantly enhances emotional well-being.

What is the relationship between goal attainment in educational and marital domains and well-being during emerging adulthood?

Achieving goals in education and marriage is associated with increased well-being, reflecting societal expectations and personal fulfillment.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is useful for which of the following? - Probing characteristics of various cognitive styles in naturalistic settings - Acquiring high-resolution images of the brain as well as information about the function of different brain structures - Comparing qualitative differences in sense of meaning and goal pursuit - Generating x-ray images of the brain's soft tissue

Acquiring high-resolution images of the brain as well as information about the function of different brain structures

How do acts of kindness relate to emotional well-being?

Acts of kindness enhance emotional well-being, which in turn promotes further acts of kindness, creating a positive feedback loop.

What are the functions of positive emotions in our lives?

positive emotions motivate positive behaviors, increase social connectedness, and help us to focus on things that are important to us

how does deep sleep impact the brain and emotional well-being?

slow-wave activity during dreamless slumber helps wash out neural detritus