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

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