1. Eastern and Western Perspectives on Positive Psychology
Chapter Two
Eastern and Western Perspectives on Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

2. Culture and Positive Psychology
More focus on Western values and experiences
- hope, optimism, personal self-efficacy
Eastern perspectives now being consulted
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

3. Culture and Positive Psychology
East and West combination produces multiple viewpoints of human strengths
Western = linear/physical plane
Eastern = fluid/spiritual plane
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

4. Western Traditions: Athenian Views
Courage
Moderation
Generosity
Munificence
Magnificence
Even Temper
Friendliness
Truthfulness
Wit
Justice
Friendship
Ancient Greek Scholars such as Plato and Aristotle
11 Moral Virtues
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

5. Western Traditions: Athenian Views
Intellectual Virtues
Correlation between Virtues and Political Community
Government responsible for virtue development via early education and training
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

6. Western Traditions: Judeo-Christianity
3 Old Testament Virtues:
- Faith, Hope, Charity
7 Heavenly Virtues (Aquinas):
1. Fortitude (Courage) Faith
2. Justice Hope
3. Temperance Charity
4. Wisdom
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

7. Western Traditions: Judeo-Christianity
Ten Commandments
New Testament:
- Book of Romans, Book of Proverbs, Book of Matthew
The Talmud
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

8. Eastern Influences: Confucianism
Confucius: The Sage; from China
Morality as a cure for evil
“You would like others to do for you what you would indeed like for yourself.”
- Collectivist ideal = leaders caring for the group
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

9. Eastern Influences: Confucianism
Attainment of Virtue (5 Virtues) to reach Enlightenment
1. Jen (humanity)
2. Yi (duty to treat others well)
3. Li (etiquette and sensitivity for others’ feelings)
4. Zhi (wisdom)
5. Xin (truthfulness)
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

10. Eastern Influences: Taoism
Lao-Tzu: creator of Taoism; from China
Must live according to the Toa
Toa = “The Way” =
- energy that surrounds everyone
“The Way” cannot be taught; must be experienced
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

11. Eastern Influences: Taoism
Goal = Achieve Naturalness & Spontaneity
Key virtues to be practiced without effort =
1. Humanity 3. Temperance
2. Justice Propriety
Transcendence = behaving virtuously naturally
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

12. Eastern Influences: Buddhism
Buddha: “the Master”;“The Enlightened One”
Key themes:
- Seeking the good of others
- Suffering as a part of being
- Nirvana – self is freed from the desire for anything
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

13. Eastern Influences: Buddhism
Brahma Viharas:
- Maitri (love)
- Karuna (compassion)
- Mudita (joy)
- Upeksa (equanimity)
Achieve virtues via divorcing self from desire
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

14. Eastern Influences: Hinduism
No specific founder (roots in Southeast Asia)
Emphasis on interconnectedness of all things
Goal = live life fully & correctly in order to achieve afterlife without need for reincarnation
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

15. Eastern Influences: Hinduism
Avoid reincarnation by:
- attaining ultimate self-knowledge
- striving toward ultimate self-betterment
Karma
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

16. East Meets West: Value Systems
Cultural value systems determine strengths and weaknesses
Comparison of cultural values via commonly told stories, fairy tales, and folklore
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

17. East Meets West: Value Systems
Western
Eastern
Individualistic
Independence
Competition
Collectivistic
Interdependence
Cooperation
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

18. East Meets West: Thought Processes
Stark differences in thought processes = divergent worldviews and meaning making
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

19. East Meets West: Thought Processes
Western Pursuit of Happiness
Eastern Pursuit of Balance
Linear
Goal-Directed
Built on Strength
of Hope
Cyclical
Yin Yang
Built on Strength of Endurance
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

20. East Meets West: Orientation to Time
Western cultures = future oriented
Eastern cultures = past oriented
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

21. Different ( Not Better) Ways to Positive Outcomes
Western: Rugged Individualism and Hope
Eastern: Compassion and Harmony
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

22. Different ( Not Better) Ways to Positive Outcomes
A Cultural Challenge:
Be open-minded about that which you consider to be strengths
Be open to different perspectives, traditions, and values
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE