Part 3. PositivePsych.Wk2Lecture

Overview of Positive Psychology Interventions (PBIs)

• Definition and Focus

  • Positive psychology interventions (PBIs) aim to enhance well-being through evidence-based strategies.

  • Focus on increasing positive experiences rather than just decreasing negative ones.

  • Emphasize long-term improvements over momentary changes.

Key Elements of PBIs

• Intervention Types

  • Daily habits: Simple practices people can integrate into their lives.

  • Structured programs: More extensive initiatives designed for guided engagement.

• Positive Psychology Framework

  • Interventions based on theory: Effective PBIs should have a solid research backing rooted in positive psychology.

  • Exclusions: Brief mood inductions or physical health-related activities that lack a positive psychology basis do not qualify as PBIs.

Examples of PBIs

• Seven Main Categories of PBIs

  • Savoring: Deliberately appreciating and prolonging pleasurable experiences.

  • Gratitude: Acknowledging and thanking individuals or circumstances.

  • Kindness: Engaging in acts to benefit others.

  • Empathy: Cultivating an understanding and shared feeling with others.

  • Optimism: Focusing on positive expectations for the future.

  • Strengths: Identifying and using personal strengths in everyday life.

  • Meaning: Engaging in meaningful activities that connect to larger purposes.

• Activities Under Each Category

  • Savoring Activities: Writing gratitude letters, practicing mindfulness, or sharing good news actively.

  • Kindness Activities: Pro-social spending, random acts of kindness, and helping others.

Evidence and Effectiveness

• Savoring and Happiness

  • Savoring enhances happiness, life satisfaction, and reduces depressive symptoms.

  • Mindful Photography: A study where participants took meaningful photos resulted in increased positive emotions.

• Kindness and Well-being

  • Happiness is often associated with engaging in kind acts.

  • Pro-social spending contributes positively to well-being, reinforcing the notion that money spent on others can yield happiness.

  • Dose-response relationship observed where performing multiple acts of kindness on the same day significantly increases well-being.

The Positive Activity Model

• Key Features of PBIs

  • Activity Features: Dosage (frequency and duration) and variety impact effectiveness.

  • Person Features: Individual demographics and baseline well-being levels moderate responses to interventions.

  • Fit Between Activity and Person: Alignment of interventions with individual values and preferences enhances outcomes.

Conclusion and Reflection

• Personalization of PBIs

  • Effective PBIs should be tailored to individual profiles and contexts, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

• Critical Questions for Further Exploration

  • How can PBIs be best personalized?

  • Do the benefits of PBIs last over time?

  • How do cultural contexts affect the reception of PBIs?

• Closing Thought

  • Tacitus’ quote highlights the complex nature of gratitude and joy, encouraging reflection on how these emotions can influence our pursuit of well-being through PBIs.