Positive Approach

• In general, what is the positive psychological approach?

  The newest of the approaches, discovered by Seligman in the 1990's:

  • He and others felt that traditional psychology focused too much on mental illness, and not enough on how humans can flourish and succeed
  • Positive psychology's approach to understanding human behaviour is based on the belief that people wish to enhance their lives, to make their lives more meaningful and to increase their levels of happiness to achieve greater fulfillment
• What is the 'PERMA MODEL'?


  The PERMA MODEL- a scientific theory of happiness:

  • Positive: emotion distinction between pleasure and enjoyment
  • Engagement: flow a sense of total immersion into a task
  • Relationships: we are rarely alone during our happiest times
  • Meaning: more important for fulfillment than the pursuit of pleasure
  • Accomplishment: achieving goals gives us a sense of accomplishment
• What does positive psychology aim to do?

  • Look at people's strengths as much as their weaknesses
  • Focus on how to build the best of things as well as repairing the worst
  • Examine how people can lead a fulfilling life
• What are the three assumptions of the positive approach?

  • The acknowledgement of free will
  • The authenticity of goodness and excellence
  • Focus on the 'good life'
• Briefly describe the assumption of 'the acknowledgement of free will'


  The positive approach acknowledges that we have free will, rather than being determined by internal and external factors
• What is free will?

  The view that we respond actively to events around us:

  • Individuals choose their own course of action, and have responsibility over their behaviour
  • We are free from coercion to choose any course of action and are not determined by internal and external pressures
• How do positive psychologists perceive free will?

  • Positive psychologists state that we behave the way we do because we have the ability to choose, to grow, and to respond actively to the events around us
  • The positive approach recognises that we can control our own behaviour
• According to positive psychologists, how does having free will impact us?


  We are responsible for our own emotional well-being:

  • This means that happiness is accessible to all, if we make use of our strengths and be the best we can be
  • This approach states that being too deterministic can be detrimental, leaving us feeling helpless and powerless to change
  • Happiness comes from acknowledging that we have free will, and this lead to psychological and physiological benefits
• What are the two free will examples?


  • Study by Diener and Seligman
  • Mindfulness
• Explain the 'Diener and Seligman' free will example


  • They explored the ties that students had to their friends and family; measured by the amount of time they invested in these relationships
  • They found that the students who had the strongest ties to friends and family were happier, and there was a negative correlation between levels of happiness and depression
  • This demonstrates free will because those that choose to spend time with friends and family are happier; our emotional state is within our control
• Explain the mindfulness free will example


  It allows people to be in control of their own mind by paying attention to their present thoughts and needs
• According to positive psychologists, how do other approaches in psychology look at behaviour?


  • Other approaches in psychology tend to have a negative outlook on behaviour (e.g. mental illness, stress)
  • Positive psychologists argue that this means our view of psychology may be unbalanced.
  • This led Seligman to argue positive behaviours are just as authentic as negative ones
• Describe the assumption 'the authenticity of goodness and excellence'


  • This assumption states that human goodness and excellence are as authentic as disorders and distress, therefore deserve equal attention from mental health practitioners
  • Positive psychology argues that our behaviour can be explained by the fact that we are good, we are capable of goodness, and we are motivated to be good
  • Feelings of happiness and goodness are as natural as feelings as anxiety and stress
  • We should celebrate the positive of human behaviour
• What are 'signature strengths'?


  Seligman describes them as innate behaviours, character strengths that are most essential to who we are
• What is 'The Values In Action Classification of Strengths and Virtues'?


  A system which explores your virtues and strengths:

  • A virtue is a trait or characteristic deemed to be morally excellent
  • Stengths are personality traits, which may be used to achieve these virtues
• How many character strengths are there?


  24, divided between the virtues
• How many virtues are there, and what are they?


  6 virtues:

  • Wisdom: acquisition and use of knowledge
  • Courage: will to accomplish goals in the face of internal or external opposition
  • Humanity: interpersonal strength
  • Justice: Civic strengths
  • Temperance: strengths that protect us against excesses
  • Transcendence: strengths that connect us to the larger universe
• Name 2 character strengths in the virtue of Wisdom


  • Curiosity and interest in the world
  • Creativity, originality and ingenuity
• Name 2 character strengths in the virtue of Courage


  • Valour, bravery and courage
  • Perseverance, industry and diligence
• Name 2 character strengths in the virtue of Humanity


  • Kindness and generosity
  • Capacity to love and be loved
• Name 2 character strengths in the virtue of Justice


  • Fairness, equity and justice
  • Leadership
• Name 2 character strengths in the virtue of Temperance


  • Self control and regulation
  • Modesty and humility
• Name 2 character strengths in the virtue of Transcendence


  • Playfulness and humour
  • Zest, passion, enthusiasm and energy
• What does Seligman say about the 6 values?


  Seligman argues that if each person has a set or core strengths that they apply and incorporate into their everyday life, that the person will experience authentic happiness and improve their well-being
• Describe that assumption 'Focus on the "good life"'


  The positive approach believes that our behaviour is influenced by our focus on 'The good life'

  • This refers to the factors that contribute most predominately to a well-lived life
  • The qualities that define the good life are those that enrich our lives, make life worth living, and foster a strong character
• What are the '3 desirable lives'?


  • The pleasant life: Happiness comes from activities focused on positive emotions and daily satisfaction
  • The good life: happiness comes from pursuing activities that positively absorb and engage us. We develop character strengths to enhance our lives. They will help us when we face difficult times
  • The meaningful life: happiness comes from a deep sense of fulfilment by living for a purpose much greater than oneself. We use our strengths for a greater purpose
• How does Seligman define 'the good life'?


  Seligman defines 'the good life' as a combination of 3 elements:

  • Positive connections to others
  • Positive individual traits
  • Life regulation qualities
• What is having a positive connection to others?


  Positive subjective experiences which include the ability to love, forgive, develop spiritual connections, happiness and life satisfaction that combine to help and create a sense of deeper meaning and purpose in life
• What are positive individual traits?

  Personal qualities such as a sense of integrity and morality, the ability to be creative and to possess virtues such as bravery, courage and humility
• What are life regulation qualities?


  Qualities that allow us to regulate our day-to-day behaviour in order to accomplish our goals. These qualities may include independence, self-control, faith in our decision making and wisdom to guide our behaviour
• What is ‘The good life’ example?


  Flow:

  • We can achieve the good life by identifying activities that help us reach a state of flow
  • Flow means reaching a state of being fully engaged in an activity, which is essential for ’The good life’
  • Different activities lead to a flow state for different people
  • It needs to be a balance between the level of challenge an activity presents and the skills we have to deal with it
  • A lack of balance could cause anxiety (too much of a challenge) or boredom (too many skills)