positive psychology

Who introduced the positive approach?

Mark Seligman

Assumption 1 - Free Will

The belief that humans are in charge of their own emotions and have the ability to change how they direct them

Humans are self-directing and adaptive

What does seligman say about free will?

Seligman says that happiness isn't due to genes but due to recognising strengths and weakness and working to develop them to minimise negativity.

Psychology example to support free will

Diener and Seligman 2001

Interviewed students and found out that those who have the strongest ties with friends and family had invested more time into the relationship

As a result, they were happier and showed less signs of depression

We control happiness using free will by choosing to engage in activities that make us happy

Assumption 2 - authenticity of goodness and excellence

Feelings of happiness and goodness are just as natural as feelings of anxiety and stress so should get equal attention

What does seligman was about authenticity of goodness and excellence

Seligman says that we have 'signature strengths ‘ such as kindness and humour and we need to nurture these to transform our lives

Psychology example to support authenticity of goodness and excellence

Seligman 2002

Believes that viewing positive traits such as goodness with less authenticity as the negative ones such as stress has held psychology back.

Assumption 3 - the good life

Seligman distinguishes between 3 desirable lives

The pleasant life - happiness comes from pursuing positive emotions in relation to the past present and future

The good life - happiness comes from pursuing activities that positively absorb us

The meaningful life - happiness comes from a deep sense of fulfilment by living for a purpose greater than oneself

How does seligman say we can achieve a good life

Pleasant life is a starting point. The good life is a place of happiness and good relationships

Seligman encourages people to seek the meaningful life

To develop a good life we need to develop our strengths and virtues as they are natural roads to gratification

Good life is a combination of 3 elements: positive connections to others (ability to love)

positive individual health (personal qualities like kindness)

life regulation qualities (regulate behaviour to achieve goals)

Formation of relationships - friendships

Authenticity of goodness and excellence

According to the positive approach, we’re programmed to build relationships with others as feelings of love, kindness and generosity are natural.

Forming relationships helps humans to enhance and express their signature strengths

Part of striving for a happier life is nurturing these strengths, seeking out fulfilling relationships

Formation of relationship - friendships

The role of the good life

One element of the good life is connections with others, relationship formation is important to humans on their journey to a meaningful life

Pew research centre 2005 reported 43% of married participants said were very happy compared to 24% unmarried

Aims of mindfulness

Allows people to pay attention to the present and enhance their positive characteristics by allowing them to be happier

Allows people to be in control of their own minds

Main components of mindfulness - gaining control of thoughts

Gaining control of thoughts

Being mindful trains us to focus on our present thoughts and feeling

Usually our minds are focused on the past or future but mindfulness teaches us to focus on the present, becoming aware of incoming thoughts and emotions are accepting them

By focusing on the present individuals gain greater awareness unhelpful and negative thoughts that dominate them and allow them to control and minimise them

These negative thoughts can lead to depression yet mindfulness helps a person to recognise these negative thoughts and alter their response to them to be more reflective than reactionary

Main component of mindfulness - meditation and mindful breathing

Meditation and mindful breathing

Meditation is the centre of mindfulness, formal training in sitting meditation is the most effective because it removes the individual from their daily interactions so that focusing the mind is easier

Meditation is learned through guided instruction and practise

Guided meditation involves getting the client to sit comfortably, keeping their focus on their