Positive Psychology: Authentic Happiness

Learned Helplessness

• a state that occurs after a person has ^^experienced a stressful situation repeatedly^^
• They come to believe that they are unable to control/change the situation, ^^so they do not try^^ -- even when opportunities for change become available

Learned Optimism

• a concept that says we can change our attitude and behaviors -- by recognizing and challenging our negative self-talk, among other things
• Benefits
  • improved health
  • motivation and performance
  • career success

Authentic Happiness

Pleasant Life

• Amplifying positive emotion and acquiring the skills to do this
• “What makes you happy?”

Engaged Life

• Where you discover your highest strengths and reshape your life to make the most of them -- in relationships, leisure, work
• “What engages you?”

Meaningful Life

• Utilizes them to “belong to and serve something you believe is larger than the self”
• “What gives your life meaning?”

PERMA Model

P = Positive Emotion

• feeling good, positive emotions, optimism, pleasure, enjoyment

E = Engagement

• fulfilling work, interesting hobbies, “flow”

R = Relationships

• social connections, love, intimacy, emotional, and physical interaction

M = Meaning

• having a purpose, finding a meaning in life

A = Accomplishment

• ambition, realistic goals, important achievements, pride in yourself

Flourishing

• State of positive mental health
• To thrive, prosper, and to fare well in endeavors:
  • Free from mental illness
  • Filled with emotional vitality
  • Function positively in private and social realms
• Often correlated with:
  • academic achievement
  • mastery goal-setting
  • higher levels of self-control
  • continued perseverance

Languishing

• A state where positive emotions appear too low to stimulate flourishing and emotional distress, social impairment or lack of fulfillment are present

• Individuals who do not have mental illness but who are low in social, emotional, and psychological well-being