Positive Psychology: Happiness and Well-being

Subjective Well-being (SWB)

• Measures happiness and well-being through individuals' evaluations of their own lives
• Encompasses cognitive judgments (life satisfaction) and affective experiences (positive emotions)

The PERMA Model

• Developed by Martin Seligman
• Outlines five elements that contribute to well-being:
  • Positive Emotions: Experiencing joy, gratitude, love, and other positive feelings
  • Engagement: Being fully absorbed and immersed in activities that are challenging but within one's abilities
  • Relationships: Having strong social connections and supportive relationships
  • Meaning: Having a sense of purpose and meaning in life, feeling that one's actions matter
  • Accomplishment: Setting and achieving goals, experiencing competence and mastery

Character Strengths

• Identifying and utilizing individual character strengths, such as kindness, creativity, perseverance, and honesty, as pathways to happiness and well-being

Mindfulness and Resilience

• Mindfulness meditation involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment and is associated with increased well-being
• Resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity—plays a crucial role in maintaining happiness in the face of life's challenges

Positive Interventions

• Various interventions aimed at increasing happiness and well-being, such as:
  • Gratitude journaling
  • Acts of kindness
  • Savoring positive experiences

Cultural Considerations

• Cultural context influences the perception and pursuit of happiness and well-being
• What constitutes happiness may vary across cultures, and interventions need to be tailored accordingly

Measuring Well-being

• Positive psychologists use a variety of tools to assess well-being, including:
  • Self-report measures
  • Physiological indicators
  • Behavioral observations

Perspectives on Happiness

• Two main perspectives on happiness in positive psychology:
  • Hedonic happiness: Focuses on experiencing positive emotions and pleasure
  • Eudaimonic happiness: Focuses on living a meaningful and purposeful life

Positive Psychology

• Field of psychology that focuses on the positive aspects of human experience
• Studies topics such as hope, gratitude, resilience, and optimism, and how these factors can contribute to a happy and fulfilling life
• Seeks to promote flourishing and optimal functioning by understanding and enhancing the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being in individuals and communities