Key Concepts in Positive Psychology and Goal Setting

Positive Psychology

Study of qualities promoting a well-lived life.

Baumgardner and Crothers

Defined positive psychology's focus on happiness.

Historical Focus on Negativity

Psychology prioritized dysfunction and mental illness.

Scientific Method Bias

Easier to study measurable negative conditions.

Evolutionary Perspective

Survival linked to responding to threats.

Hedonic Happiness

Maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.

Subjective Well-Being

Involves feelings of joy and satisfaction.

Eudaimonic Happiness

Focuses on meaning and personal growth.

Money and Happiness

Limited impact, varies by context.

Van Boven Study

Experiential spending increases long-term happiness.

The Happy Documentary

True happiness stems from relationships, not wealth.

Lottery Winner Study

Temporary happiness boost, returns to baseline.

Hedonic Treadmill Theory

Adaptation to wealth limits long-term happiness.

Big 5 Personality Traits

Openness, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism.

Extraversion

Linked to positive emotions and social engagement.

Low Neuroticism

Associated with emotional stability and fewer negatives.

Openness

Imaginative and curious personality trait.

Conscientiousness

Organized and responsible behavior.

Agreeableness

Compassionate and cooperative nature.

Neuroticism

Prone to anxiety and negative emotions.

Carver & Scheier Theory

Optimism influences behavior and emotional outcomes.

Benefits of Dispositional Optimism

Enhances problem-solving and emotional regulation.

Mechanisms of Optimism

Positive expectations, cognitive biases, emotional regulation.

Social Support in Optimism

Encourages resilience through supportive relationships.

Development of Optimism

Influenced by genetics and learned experiences.

Learned Optimism

Changing negative event explanations fosters optimism.

Social Learning Theory

Observing others builds self-efficacy and optimism.

Self-Regulation Requirements

Goal setting, self-monitoring, self-evaluation, self-control.

Goal Setting

Defining specific, measurable, and achievable objectives.

Self-Monitoring

Tracking progress to adjust actions as needed.

Self-Evaluation

Reflecting on progress to align with goals.

Self-Control

Managing distractions to maintain goal focus.

Extrinsic Motivation

Driven by external rewards rather than enjoyment.

Amotivation

Lack of motivation or purpose.

External Regulation

Motivated by external pressures like grades.

Introjected Regulation

Internal pressures like guilt drive motivation.

Identified Regulation

Recognizing personal value in activities.

Integrated Regulation

Aligning activities with personal values.

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaging in activities for inherent enjoyment.

Importance of Planning

Provides structure and commitment for goal attainment.

Research on Planning

Effective planning increases motivation and organization.