Introduction to Positive Psychology PDF

Introduction to Positive Psychology Prof. Bernardo Fernandez II  Learning objective! 1. To describe and critically examine the emergence and development of this new field in recent years. 2. to orientate students to some of the topics studied by positive psychologists. KUMUSTA KA TODAY? P...

Introduction to Positive Psychology Prof. Bernardo Fernandez II  Learning objective! 1. To describe and critically examine the emergence and development of this new field in recent years. 2. to orientate students to some of the topics studied by positive psychologists. KUMUSTA KA TODAY? Positive psychology concentrates on positive experiences at three time points (1) The past, centring on wellbeing, contentment and satisfaction; (2) The present, which focuses on concepts such as happiness and flow experiences; (3) The future, with concepts including optimism and hope. Not only does positive psychology distinguish between wellbeing across time points but it also separates the subject area into three nodes: 1. The subjective node, which encompasses things like positive experiences and states across past, present and future (for example, happiness, optimism, wellbeing); 2. The individual node, which focuses on characteristics of the ‘good person’ (for example, talent, wisdom, love, courage, creativity); and 3. The group node, which studies positive institutions, citizenship and communities (for example, altruism, tolerance, work ethic) (Positive Psychology Center, 1998). Authentic happiness and the good life Hedonic happiness encompasses high levels of positive affect and low levels of negative affect, in addition to high subjective life (pleasurable life) Eudaimonic wellbeing focuses more on the creation of meaning and purpose in life (meaningful life) What examples popped into your headfirst as your own positive subjective experience? People who have positive subjective experiences often... 1.Contribute more to their communities 2.Have better relationships with others 3.Are more creative in some realms 4.Excel in sports and academics 5.Provide leadership 6.Are models for others 7.Propose new ideas in terms of science, business, and other life arenas 8.Help others 9.Are less of a drain on psychological and physical health systems The origins of modern-day positive psychology Martin E. P. Seligman Activity #1 In this exercise, students are invited to complete three important, enjoyable, and meaningful activities in a single day and write about them in detail. These acts should include: 1. A pleasurable activity carried out alone (for example, reading or listening to music) 2. A pleasurable activity completed with others (for example, playing cards or meeting for lunch) 3. A meaningful or important act (for example, visiting an isolated relative). ‘The greatest happiness principle’, or the principle of utility  His concept, ‘The Emotions’, is most relevant for positive psychology to acknowledge. He suggests that emotions come after we have physically acted out. For example ‘common-sense says, we lose our fortune, are sorry and weep; we meet a bear, are frightened and run; we are insulted by a rival, are angry and strike. The hypothesis here to be defended says that this order of sequence is incorrect... that we feel sorry because we cry, angry because we strike, afraid because we tremble. This was one of the first examples, if not the very first example, of writing to connect emotions and expressions together.  HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY Humanistic psychologists believe that: (1) individuals’ behaviour is primarily determined by their perception of the world around them and their personal meanings; (2) individuals are not solely the product of their environment or their genes; and (3) individuals are internally directed and motivated to fulfil their human potential. The main drive of humanistic psychology was to focus on mental health, specifically positive attributes such as happiness, contentment, ecstasy, kindness, caring, sharing and generosity. Maslow and Rogers  Abraham Maslow was one of several eminent psychologists who embodied the humanistic movement and what it stood for. Maslow was a very famous psychologist across many disciplines and actually coined the term ‘positive psychology’ Mostly known for his model of a ‘hierarchy of needs’, Maslow emphasized the need for psychology to focus on human potentialities rather than just human deficiencies His major contributions to psychology as a whole were his theories on motivation, needs, self-actualization and peak experience. “The science of psychology has been far more successful on the negative than on the positive side; it has revealed to us much about man’s shortcomings, his illnesses, his sins, but little about his potentialities, his virtues, his achievable aspirations, or his psychological height” Abraham Maslow (Maslow, 1954: 201) 1980’s - Positive Psychology In 1984, Ed Diener coined the term "subjective well-being" as a measurement of happiness. Subjective well-being (SWB) is the scientific term for happiness and life satisfaction—thinking and feeling that your life is going well, not badly. 1980’s - Positive Psychology In 1985, Ed Diener published his Satisfaction with Life scale 1990’s - New Era In 1997, Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi meet to discuss the plan for launching positive psychology into the new era 1990’s - Martin Seligman Martin Seligman was elected President of the American Psychological Association. Shortly after being elected, positive psychology became the theme of his term. He delivers his "Manhattan Project for the Social Sciences" inaugural presidential address at the American Psychological Association convention. 1998 - Broaden and Build Barbara Fredrickson published a theory "broaden and build". Build theory helps us to understand how we can move away from a survival mode way of responding to situations into a more expansive and thoughtful approach to life. This usefulness of positive emotions is highlighted through this new theory in the field of positive psychology.  1999 The first positive psychology conference is held in Akumal, Mexico. The first annual Positive Psychology Summit is held in Lincoln, Neb. The first university programs in positive psychology are available at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.  2000 Special millennial issue of American Psychologist devoted to positive psychology. First Templeton Prize to Barbara Fredrickson.  2001 “Positive emotions in early life and longevity: Findings from the nun study" published, linking happiness and positive outlook to longevity. 2002 U.S. News & World Report publishes "Happiness Explained" cover story. U.S. Department of Education gave $2.8 million for Martin Seligman to develop the topic of positive psychology in a Philadelphia high school. Martin Seligman publishes his book called "Authentic Happiness".  2004 - 2005 $1 million National Institute of Mental Health grant to Sonja Lyubormirsky and Kennon Sheldon to explore practical "intervention" pathways to permanent increases in happiness. Martin Seligman and Chris Peterson publish Character Strengths and Virtues, the definitive text and positive psychology's what-goes-right answer to psychology's classic what-goes-wrong reference text Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). First masters program in Positive Psychology at U Penn First doctoral program in positive psychology at Claremont Graduate University The pentagon approached Founder Martin Seligman to help develop a positive psychology program in the Univ Time publishes its cover story, "The Science of Happiness.“ "Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change" study shows as much as 40 percent of personal happiness is dictated by personal effort.  2006 - 2007 Gallup World Poll launched, with sampling that represents 95 percent of the world's population. Tal Ben-Shahar's "Positive Psychology" becomes Harvard's most popular course. Sonja Lyubormirsky publishes The How of Happiness. First doctoral program in positive psychology at Claremont Graduate University.  2008 - 2010 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index launched in the United States. First World Congress on Positive Psychology held in Philadelphia. Barbara Fredrickson publishes her 3:1 positivity ratio finding in Positivity. Tony Hsieh's Delivering Happiness hits No. 1 on New York Times bestseller list and stays on the list for 27 consecutive weeks. Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project hits No. 1 on New York Times bestseller list and has stayed on the list continuously for more than two years.  2011 - 2012 British government begins national happiness survey. Somerville, Mass., becomes the first U.S. city to track its population's happiness. Harvard Business Review publishes issue on "The Value of Happiness." Introducing Positive Psychology Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi (2000, p. 5) ” “Psychology has, since World War II, become a science largely about healing. It concentrates on repairing damage within a disease model of human functioning.” Introducing Positive Psychology A focus on weakness ? “What is wrong with people?” Introducing Positive Psychology A focus on weakness ? “Which factors impair human functioning?” Introducing Positive Psychology A focus on weakness Psychological Abstracts (1967-2000):  anger: 5,584  joy: 415  anxiety: 41,416  happiness: 1,710  depression: 54,040  life satisfaction: 2,582 Ratio: 21/1  Introducing Positive Psychology A focus on weakness -5 0 +5 Introducing Positive Psychology Misconceptions about weaknesses misconception no #1: fixing what is wrong automatically leads to well-being  positive affect and negative affect are not on the same continuum  getting rid of anger, fear, and depression will not automatically cause peace, love, and joy  the absence of mental illness does not imply the presence of mental health (and vice versa) Introducing Positive Psychology Misconceptions about weaknesses misconception no #2: effective coping is reflected by a reduction of negative states e.g. it is not the absence of stress that is related to successful weight maintenance, but rather the ability to effectively deal with stress Introducing Positive Psychology Misconceptions about weaknesses misconception no #3: a weakness focus can help to prevent problems  When it comes to prevention, the question should not be “How can we treat people with problem X effectively?”, but “How can problem X be prevented from occurring?”  “Why do people suffer from problem X?” vs “Why do some people flourish despite difficult circumstances?” Introducing Positive Psychology A focus on strengths Martin Seligman “Positive Psychology is the scientific study of optimal human functioning that aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive.” Introducing Positive Psychology A focus on strengths ? “What is right about people?” Introducing Positive Psychology A focus on strengths ? “Which factors promote human flourishing?”  Introducing Positive Psychology A focus on strengths -5 0 +5 Introducing Positive Psychology Critical notes  ignoring weakness will not promote well-being  PP is an addition to the field, not a replacement  “negative” psychology does not exist  psychology reaches far beyond the subdomains of psychopathology and clinical psychology  many studies on well-being before 2000 Can we measure Happiness? GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS Thanks for your attention