AP PSYCH positive psych

Positive Psychology, Stress, and Health
Understanding how stress affects us and how positive psychology promotes well-being

Stress: The process by which we perceive and respond to challenging or threatening events (stressors).
Types of Stress:

  • Eustress: Positive stress that motivates and enhances performance.

  • Distress: Negative stress that can be overwhelming and harmful.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Phases:

  1. Alarm Reaction: Initial reaction; fight, flight, or freeze response.

  2. Resistance: Body attempts to adapt to stress.

  3. Exhaustion: Prolonged stress leads to depletion of resources, potential health issues.

Effects of Stress on the Body and Mind
 Physical Effects: Increased heart rate, immune suppression, hypertension.
 Mental Effects: Anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating.
 Behavioral Effects: Poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, substance use

Coping with Stress
Problem-Focused Coping: Directly addressing the stressor (e.g., making a study plan).
Emotion-Focused Coping: Managing emotional response (e.g., meditation, exercise).

Positive Psychology - The scientific study of human strengths and what makes life meaningful.
Key Areas:

  • Positive emotions

  • Resilience

  • Psychological well-being

  • Factors Influencing Well-Being: Relationships, work satisfaction, physical health, purpose.

Positive Objective Experiences: a situation or event that is enjoyable or beneficial and based on factual, measurable data (rather than personal opinions or feelings)
Positive Subjective Experiences: valued feelings and emotions like contentment, satisfaction, hope, optimism, flow, and happiness, focusing on the individual's personal well-being and experiences
Connection: People with strong social connections often report higher well-being.

Signature Strengths and Virtues\
Using Strengths: Identifying and applying personal strengths enhances life satisfaction by allowing individuals to engage in meaningful activities that align with their core values. When people use their strengths regularly, they often experience greater motivation, a sense of accomplishment, and improved well-being.

How It Works: Each virtue encompasses specific character strengths. For example:

  • Wisdom: Creativity, curiosity, love of learning

  • Courage: Bravery, persistence, integrity

  • Humanity: Kindness, social intelligence

  • Justice: Fairness, leadership, teamwork

  • Temperance: Self-regulation, humility, prudence

  • Transcendence: Gratitude, spirituality, hope

The Role of Gratitude in Mental Health
Benefits: Increases happiness, reduces stress, improves relationships.
Practices: Gratitude journaling, expressing appreciation.

Resilience and Support
Resilience: The ability to bounce back from adversity.
Building Resilience: Strong support system, positive mindset, coping strategies.

Tend-and-Befriend Response: Alternative to fight-or-flight, where individuals seek social support.
 More common in women; linked to oxytocin release.