Positive approach

• What are the 3 assumptions?

  Acknowledgement of free will, authenticity of goodness & excellence & focus on 'The good life'.
• Authenticity of goodness & excellence:

  Feelings of happiness & goodness are as natural as feelings of anxiety & stress-need equal attention. Focus on good things as psychology traditionally focuses on negative states of mind. We have inherent traits ('signature strengths'), e.g, kindness-need to nurture these traits to transform our lives. Therapies-instead of fixing what's wrong, facilitate positive well-being & help achieve fulfilment. Focus on good traits. Understanding acts as buffer to protect from future mental health problems, as well as being important in its own right.
• Seligman (2002) (authenticity of goodness & excellence):


  Belief that traits such as virtue & happiness are less authentic than negative traits has been obstacle in research.
• What are the 3 elements in the good life?

  Develop positive connections with others, to have positive individual traits & develop life regulation qualities (needed to develop to regulate, monitor & control our behaviour in order to accomplish goals. May include autonomy, independence, faith in decision-making & wisdom to guide behaviour.
• What are the 3 desirable lives (focus on the good life)?

  The pleasant life, the good life & the meaningful life. (Seligman 2003). Factors predominantly contribute to a well-lived life.
• What is the pleasant life?

  Pursuing positive emotions in relation to past, present, future & daily satisfaction.
• What is the good life?

  Discovering our strengths & enhancing our lives. Happiness comes from pursuing activities that positively absorb & engage us. Develop strengths & virtues as these are natural routes to gratification & help us function in face of adversity.
• What is the meaningful life?

  Using our strengths for a greater purpose-happiness comes from deep sense of fulfilment by living for a purpose much greater than oneself.
• Diener & Seligman (2002) (acknowledgement of free will):


  Looked at ties students had to friends & family, measured in terms of amount of time invested in these relationships. Students with strongest ties were happier. Negative correlation between level of happiness & depression. Choose to engage in activities known to make us happy & which alleviate feelings of low mood.
• Acknowledgement of free will:

  Seligman says happiness not result of good genes or luck but result of recognising own strengths & working on developing these to make life better & minimise negativity. In charge of own emotions & have free will to change how we direct emotions. Contrast to biological, psychodynamic & behaviourist approach.
• Langer & Rodin (1976):

  Control led to better health & longer lives in carehome residents. Having a choice brings psychological & physical benefits. Determinism is detrimental.
• Sense of control predicts what?

  High job performance & satisfaction.