Positive Psychology Cicilia Evi GradDiplSc., M. Psi

“Psychology is not just the study of weakness and damage; it is also the study of strength and virtue. Treatment is not just fixing what is broken; it is nurturing what is best within us” (Martin E. P. Seligman)

Positive Psychology The scientific study of ordinary human strengths and virtues – revisits the ‘average person’ with an interest in finding out what works, what’s right, and what’s improving (Sheldon & King, 2001)

Positive Psychology (2) The focus is at positive human functioning and flourishing at biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural and global level (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000) This movement builds on people’s capacities, creativity, strengths, resilience, and coping skills (Seligman, 2002)  against the pursuing of pathology

Discussion After watching Precious last week, what do you think is her strength and virtue? What about Morrie? And Liz?

Dimensions of Positive Psych At subjective level  looks at positive subjective states or positive emotions: –Happiness, joy, satisfaction with life, relaxation, love, intimacy, and contentment –Including constructive thoughts about life and the future  optimism and hope –Feeling of energy, vitality and confidence, or laughter (effect of positive emotions)

Dimensions (2) At the individual level  focuses on a study of positive individual traits – the more enduring and persistent behavior patterns in people over time –Courage, persistent, honesty, wisdom –Ability to develop aesthetic sensibility or creative potentials and drive to pursue excellence

Dimensions (3) At group or societal level  focuses on development, creation and maintenance of positive institutions –Issues on the development of civic virtues, the creation of healthy families, the study of healthy work environments and positive communities –How communities can work better to support and nurture all the citizens

Why is it needed today? Prior to World War II there were only 3 major missions in Psychology: to cure mental illness, to find and nurture genius and talent, and to make normal life more fulfilling (Seligman, 2000) The importance of positive emotions and adaptive behaviors to living a satisfying and productive life  eliminate soc & psych problems

Why (2) To enable people have positive outcomes in life –Satisfied with their life and have more rewarding interpersonal relationships –Physically healthier, more resistant to illness, and may live longer Conclusion: helping people reach their potentials & eliminate negative emotions and problematic behaviors

Negative Emotions Still important and needed for survival  fear, anxiety or skepticism Positive psych believes that tragic elements in life can enrich our experience of human being (Woolfolk, 2002) Can’t deny every effort to help eliminate problems associated with social injustices and inequalities

What is A Good Life?

The Good Life Refers to the factors that contribute most to a well-lived and fulfilling life Three elements: –Positive connections to others –Positive individual traits –Life regulation qualities

Emotional Intelligence Ability to give meaning, to think and to understand the emotions and use the information to make a decision (Mayer & Salovey, 1995, 1997) Able to recognize someone else’s feeling and act upon that Knowing someone else’s feeling  then decide to express or withhold the emotions

Goals in Life Happy people are more likely to have goals in life, compare to unhappy people The only one not correlated with happiness is making money – because most of them do not succeed!

Other Factors Health and happiness go together  health improves happiness and happiness improves the chances of long-term health Religious people tend to be happier than nonreligious people (Myers, 2000)

Happy people are more likely to trust others, to be emotionally stable, to be conscientious workers and to enjoy being in control of a situation

Change your activities! First, once a week list 5 things which you feel grateful for …  feeling grateful improve life satisfaction, optimism, health and exercise habits (Emmons & McCullough, 2003) Second, perform a random act of kindness to a stranger every week (Sheldon & Lyubomirsky, 2004)