Positive Psychology Lecture Notes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the core concepts, historical roots, and theoretical models of Positive Psychology as presented in the lecture notes.

Positive psychology

The scientific study of strengths, well-being, and optimal functioning, founded by Martin Selligman in 1998.

Martin Selligman

The President of the American Psychological Association who initiated positive psychology in 1998 to broaden the focus of psychology beyond suffering.

Fix what’s wrong approach

The mainstream psychology approach explicit in training, therapy, and research that focuses on negative thoughts and the alleviation of problems.

Build what’s strong approach

The positive psychology approach that considers intact faculties, ambitions, positive life experiences, and strengths of character to buffer against disorder.

Good life

A philosophical idea with roots in Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, describing the most authentic lifestyle through eudaimonia.

Pleasant life

A kind of happiness aimed at maximizing positive emotions regarding the past, present, and future while minimizing negative ones.

Engaged life

A kind of happiness involving the use of positive individual traits, strengths and talents, leading to flow and immersion in experience.

Meaningful life

A kind of happiness derived from belonging to and serving something larger than the self, such as families, communities, or democracy.

Strengths of character

Virtuous qualities like bravery, kindness, and integrity that are viewed as goals in themselves rather than just means.

Talents

Skills that an individual is naturally drawn to and possesses the potential for high achievement in.

Subjective well-being

A person's cognitive evaluation of their life, which shows a negative relationship with acting out and an inverse relationship with depression.

Satisfaction with Life Scale

A measurement tool for subjective well-being developed by Diener et al. in 1985.

Flow

A positive mental state of complete absorption and enjoyment in an activity, occurring when strengths/skills and challenges are balanced.

Csíkszentmihályi Mihály

The individual who described optimal experiences and the concept of flow.

Experience sampling Method

The most accurate assessment method for flow, capturing data while the individual is engaged in their activities.

Autotelic experience

A characteristic of flow where the activity itself is the goal or reward.

Positive Interventions

Therapeutic strategies such as instilling hope, building buffering qualities, and narration to build engagement, pleasure, and meaning.

Narration

A positive intervention strategy involving telling the story of one's life from new perspectives to aid in meaning-making.

What is the focus of positive psychology?

Positive psychology focuses on understanding human strengths, well-being, and optimal functioning.

What are the three types of lives identified by positive psychology?

Pleasant life, engaged life, and meaningful life.

How do strengths contribute to well-being?

Strengths act as buffers against disorder and contribute to overall well-being and subjective happiness.

What is an example of a strength of character?

Bravery is an example of a strength of character that promotes individual excellence.

What impact can positive interventions have?

Positive interventions can enhance engagement, pleasure, and meaning in life experiences.

How can strengths be assessed?

Strengths can be assessed through various psychological tools and self-reflection.

What role does narrative play in positive psychology?

Narration helps individuals make sense of their experiences and find meaning in their lives.