ASSUMPTIONS

• WHAT DOES THE POSITIVE APPROACH BELIEVE?

  HUMANS ARE IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN EMOTIONS AND HAVE FREE WILL TO CHANGE HOW THEY DIRECT THEIR EMOTIONS.
• WHAT DOES THE ”ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FREE WILL“ APPROACH DICTATE?

  HUMANS ARE SELF DIRECTING AND ADAPTIVE AND THAT A GOOD LIFE CAN BE EXPERIENCED IF WE USE OUR STRENGTHS AND VIRTUES TO ENHANCE OUR LIVES.
• WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

  SELIGMAN SUGGESTS THAT THIS ISNT A RESULT OF OUR GENES OR GOOD LUCK BUT IS A RESULT OF RECOGNISING OUR OWN STRENGTHS AND WORKING ON DEVELOPING THESE TO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER.
• WHAT MAKES THIS APPROACH DIFFERENT TO OTHERS LIKE THE PSYCHODYNAMIC?

  CONTRASTS OTHER DETERMINISTIC APPROACHES THAT FOCUS ON CHILD EXPERIENCES.
• WHAT IS THE EXAMPLE OF THE “ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FREE WILL” ASSUMPTION?

  Diener and Seligman‘s “What makes people happy” (2000)
• What happened in this research?

  They researched the ties students had to their friends and family.
• How was this measured?

  the amount of time invested into those relationships
• What was found?

  Students who had the strongest ties to friends and family were happier- there was also a negative correlation between happiness levels and depression.
• What does this highlight?

  We are in control of our own happiness as we chose to engage in activities that are known to make us happy- this alleviates feelings of low mood.
• What is central to practicing mindfulness?

  Becoming aware of one’s thoughts and feelings (this involves self regulation of attention)
• Therefore how does this link to mindfulness (aofw)

  Mindfulness encourages people to gain control of their thoughts and emotions in order to create more productive attitudes, and to control negative thinking.
• What does taking control of our feeling lead to?

  An increase of life satisfaction and contentment.
• What is the second assumption of the positive approach called?

  Authenticity of Goodness and Excellence.
• What does this assumption state (aogae)?

  Feelings of goodness and excellence are as natural as feelings of anxiety and stress so therefore need to be paid equal attention by psychologists.
• What does Seligman believe?

  An obsticle created in psychological research is has been made by the difference in treatment of traits- happiness and virtue are treated less authentically than depressive and anxious states.
• What is the primary goal of the positive approach?

  To change the way psychology traditionally only focuses on negative states of mind.
• What are Signature Strengths?

  Positive traits or qualities that are inherent and should be nurture. These include kindness, generosity and humour.
• Therefore, what does this suggest?

  That we should celebrate the good things in life instead of magnifying the worse to change our lives.
• What is the example in psychology?

  Positive Psychology.
• What is the role of the therapist in positive therapy?

  Facilitate positive wellbeing and help to achieve fulfillment.
• How does this contrast to traditional therapies that target depression?

  By increasing positive engagement, meaning and emotion instead of attacking just the negative symptoms.
• How does developing positive traits help?

  It can act as a buffer to protect the individual from future mental health problems.
• What is the aim of the positive approach?

  To promote human flourishing
• How does mindfulness contribute to personal development?

  It enhances positive characteristics through acceptance
• What are some core virtues developed through mindfulness?

  Gratitude, flexibility, and optimism
• What methods does mindfulness use to enhance positive characteristics?

  • Acceptance-based methods
  • Encouragement of individual development
• What is the third assumption of the positive approach?

  Focus on the Good Life
• how many types of lives are there?

  3
• What are they?

  Pleasant life, Good life and Meaningful life
• What is the first type of life?

  The pleasant life is where happiness originates from pershing positive emotions by looking at the past, present and future.
• What is the second life about?

  The good life is achieved by pursuing in activities that involve positive absorption and engagement
• How is the last life achieved?

  Happiness comes from a deep sense of fulfilment by living for a purpose much greater than oneself
• Who came up with this?

  Seligman
• How is the good life developed?

  Develop strengths and virtues such as wisdom, courage and love
• What are they said to be?

  natural routes to gratification and help us function in times of difficulty
• What is the example?

  Elements to achieve the good life
• How many elements are there?

  3
• What are they?

  Positive connections to others, Positive individual traits,

  Life regulation Qualities.
• What does the first element encompass?

  Our ability to love, trust, forgive and develop deep spiritual connections with ourselves and others
• What does the second trait involve?

  These may include personal qualities such as a sense of integrity, morality, creativity, bravery, courage and humility.