POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER 1&2

jojo-nourished by time & tony botana

positive psychology

the scientific and applied approach to uncovering people’s strengths and promoting their positive functioning/scientific study of optimal human functioning

reality negotiation

The ongoing processes by which people arrive at agreed-upon worldviews or definitions

social constructions

Perspectives or definitions that are agreed upon by many people to constitute reality – rather that some objectively defined “truth” that resides in objects, situations, and people

western perspective

a focus on hope, optimism, and personal self-efficacy. individualistic. more future oriented

eastern perspective

adaptive and mindful, enlightenment is sought. collectivistic. respect and focus more on the past.

athenian views

focus on virtue and human strength. 11 moral values of courage, moderation, generosity, munificence (spending money at an appropriate level), magnificence (greatness of soul), even temper, friendliness, truthfulness, wit, justice, and friendship.

judeo-christianity

used the Old Testament and the talmud. emphasis on faith, hope, and charity. heavy on wisdom. talmud says to be a hospitable host, especially to the poor, being fair in decision-making and judgments, seeking peace in every day life, and administering truth, justice, and peace within your gates

islam

virtues are moral obligations. Gratitude (to Allah for His benevolence), Love (of Allah for His forgiveness), Kindness (especially to ones parents), Justice (emphasizing fraternity and equality of all), Courage (acts of bravery). important to look out for ones brother, especially if there is an imbalance in wealth and one has more than one needs , giving anonymously is encouraged to maintain the humility of the giver, and to protect the pride of the receiver.

confucianism

leadership and education are important in morality. teachings encourage us to look out for others and encourages leaders to take care of the group. five core values of Love of humanity, duty to treat others well, etiquette/embracing rituals and sensitivity to other’s feelings, wisdom, and truthfulness. followers rely on these five virtues to reach enlightenment

taoism

direction, movement, method, and thought. tai is the energy that surrounds everyone and is a power that envelopes, surrounds, and flows through all things. not taught, but experienced through living. achieving naturalness and spontaneity, and demonstrating the virtues of humanity, justice, temperance, and propriety is optimal functioning/the good life

buddhism

suffering is a part of being, and it is brought on by desire. nirvana is the state in which the self is free from desire. virtues include love, compassion, joy, and equanimity (a perfect, unshakable balance of mind, rooted in insight). pre and post mortal nirvana exist.

hinduism

stresses interconnectedness of all things. goal of an individual is to know oneself and to live life so fully and so correctly that one would go directly to the afterlife. Reincarnation occurs if life is not lived properly, and the individual is placed in the world according to the previous life’s good actions. This process is called Karma.

individualism

sense of independence, desire to stand out, self as unit of analysis, focused on pleasure and their own self-esteem, may be more short-term in decision making. less formal in interactions

collectivism

dependence/concerned with welfare of group, conformity, group is fundamental unit of analysis, generosity and equity are common, formal social interactions, harmony is important. more common amongst those in poverty and those who are aging.

empathy

understanding how someone feels and trying to imagine how that might feel for you. feeling what another person is feeling, holding it, accepting it, and choosing to take some action.