Focus on the 'good life'

• what is one of the primary focuses of positive psychology?

  the 'good life'
• what is the 'good life?

  factors that contribute most predominantly to a well-lived life
• what does Seligman distinguish between?

  3 desirable lives
• what are the three desirable lives?

  pleasant life

  good life

  meaningful life
• what is the pleasant life?

  happiness comes from pursuing positive emotions in relation to past, present & future
• what is the good life? (within the 'good life')

  happiness comes from actively pursuing activities that positively absorb & engage us
• what is the meaningful life?

  happiness comes from a deep sense of fulfilment by living for a purpose much greater than oneself
• what is the starting point?

  pleasant life
• what is after the pleasant life?

  the good life - place of happiness, good relationships & work
• what does Seligman encourage people to do?

  go further than good life & seek meaningful life in continuing quest for happiness
• what is the example for focus on the 'good life'?

  development of our strengths & virtues in order to achieve the good life
• what do we have to do in order to achieve a good life?

  develop our strengths & virtues (e.g. wisdom, knowledge, courage, spirituality, love)
• what does the development of strengths & virtues allow?

  natural route to gratification & help function in times of difficulty
• what did Seligman suggest?

  the good life is a combination of 3 elements
• what are the three elements the good life in combined of?

  positive connections to others

  positive individual traits

  life regulation qualities
• what are positive connections to others?

  encompasses ability to love, trust, enjoy happiness, forgive & develop spiritual connections with ourself & others
• what are positive individual traits?

  includes personal qualities such as sense of integrity, morality, creativity, bravery, courage & humility
• what are life regulation qualities?

  qualities that need to develop to regulate, monitor & control behaviour to accomplish goals, includes autonomy, independence, faith in out decision making, & wisdom to guid behaviour