Authenticity of goodness & excellence

• what does this assumption state?

  feelings of happiness & goodness are as natural as feelings of anxiety & stress
• due to what the assumption states, what should psychologists therefore do?

  assign these positive states of mind equal attention
• according to Seligman, what was the belief about traits?

  traits such as virtues & happiness are less authentic than negative traits (e.g. anxiety, depression) = obstacle in psychological research
• what has psychology traditionally focused on?

  negative states of mind & mental health problems
• what is the primary goal of the positive approach?

  change traditional practices
• what did Seligman believe?

  we have inherent traits called 'signature strengths' which need to be nurtured
• what is included in signature strengths?

  kindness

  generosity

  humour
• thus, what should we do?

  celebrate good things in life instead of magnifying worse to change our lives
• what is the example for authenticity of goodness & excellence?

  positive therapy
• what is central to positive therapies?

  assumption that feelings of happiness & goodness are as natural as feelings of anxiety & stress
• instead of fix what's wrong, what is the role of the therapist?

  facilitate positive wellbeing to help achieve fulfilment
• what does this approach offer?

  different way to elevate illnesses (depression) by focusing on traits that produce goodness & excellence (e.g. altruistic behaviour)
• what does the positive approach believe understanding different ways to elevate illnesses result in?

  act as buffer to protect indiv from future health problems