1) Humanistic & Positive Psychology

What is phenomenology?

The subjective experience of the world (an inherently individualized account).

What is existentialism?

Creating meaning through choices and actions, because life has no predetermined purpose (being alive and “aware”).

In existentialism, what is thrown-ness?

Time, place and circumstances you are born into.

In existentialism, what is angst?

Anxiety about the meaning of life.

What parts may self-awareness come in?

• Umwelt

• Mitwelt

• Eigenwelt

What is umwelt?

The biological experience

What is mitwelt?

The social experience

What is eigenwelt?

The inner, psychological experience

How do you find meaning in a world that has no objective meaning?

Individualistic and collectivistic views

What is the individualistic view?

Search for the authentic existence.

What is the collectivistic view?

Learning you are an interconnected part of the universe.

What is humanistic psychology?

The idea that people are innately good (but society corrupts us), pure, and moral.

Personality reflects each person’s progress toward:

• Self-Actualization

• Becoming a Fully Functioning Person

What is humanistic therapy?

To acknowledge & appreciate client’s viewpoint; ideal vs actual self; not changing the person or telling them what to do.

What is the goal of humanistic therapy?

To help the client become a fully functioning person.

In humanistic therapy, the therapist develops…

• Genuine and caring relationship with the client

• Expresses empathy

• Provides unconditional positive regard

What is unconditional positive regard?

Nonjudgmental acceptance of a person.

According to humanistic psychology, personality is…

a reflection of people becoming self-actualized

What is self-actualization?

To actualize, maintain, enhance own experience.

What is associated with self-actualization?

Personal growth, self-acceptance, solitude, and creativity.

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

The goal of existence is to satisfy the need to self-actualize.

What is the order of priority of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

1. Physiological

2. Safety

3. Belonging and Love

4. Esteem

5. Self-actualization

How is angst avoided in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? 

The meaning of existence is the process of becoming self-actualized.

What is a fully functioning person?

Perceiving the world you live in accurately, free of worth, and self-deprecation.

A fully functioning person lives a life full of…

• Joy

• Self-discovery

• Ethical decisions

• Empathy

• Spontaneity

What is positive psychology?

To focus on what helps individuals and populations to thrive.

What is the positive experience (how we make the most of being alive)?

Mindfulness, flow, awe.

What is mindfulness?

To be alert and aware of every thought, sensation, and experience.

How does mindfulness beneficial?

• Reduces stress & rumination

• Enhances creativity & improves memory

What is flow?

The “peak experiences” or being “in the zone.”

To experience flow:

Ability and challenge must match each other.

How is flow beneficial?

• Highly focused; not distractible

• Feel content, not happy

• Activities become enjoyable for their own sake (intrinsically motivating)

What is awe? (Hint: huh!)

The feelings of wonder and fear when you encounter an entity that is vast and challenges your worldview.

How is awe beneficial?

Addresses entitlement, arrogance, and narcissism.

What is one goal of positive psychology is to understand?

The subjective experiences that highlight people’s strengths.

What is hedonic well-being?

The idea of happiness that focuses on experiencing pleasure and being satisfied with life.

How does hedonic well-being change across the lifespan?

Decreasing from young adulthood to middle age before increasing again in later life (U-shaped curve).

What is eudaimonic well-being?

The idea of happiness that emphasizes living a life of meaning, purpose, personal growth.

How does eudaimonic well-being change across the lifespan?

Decreases in late adulthood (↗  mid-60s↘).

What are the sources of happiness?

• Set point (genetics) = 50%

• Intentional Activity = 40%

• Life Circumstances = 10%

What are the five strategies to become happier?

• Reflect on, and express, gratitude

• Meditation

• Physical exercise

• Social connections

• Having purpose, mission, and goals

Can money buy happiness?

Effects plateau(drop) around $75K to $90K

According to research, to be happy it matters ___________ with your money?

what you do

What are examples of how you use your money to buy happiness?

• Spending on new experiences OR experiences aligned with your personality

• You donate or spend on others

• Stronger association for those who are disproportionately affected by lack of resources

What determines happiness is _________ across the globe!

different

Happier countries have more…

• Resources

• Greater life expectancies

• Social support

• Perceive others as more generous

What is the bottom-up (situational) theory of happiness?

External events, circumstances, and objective life conditions (Importance-Weighting).

What is the top-down (dispositional) theory of happiness?

Internal traits, personality, and outlook (Setpoint Theory).

What is bi-directional theory of happiness?

The dynamic relationship between situations and person-level factors.

Which theory is the best representation of people on average?

None of them