Relevance of positive psychology

• Diener et al (1993):


  Work may make you happy but having more money isn't relevant to happiness. Found correlation of +0.12 between income & happiness. In poor societies, money's more important & work may be important for money rather than happiness. Western, developed world may have luxury of seeking happiness through work-luxury not available elsewhere.
• Not relevant (leisure & lifestyle advice):

  Leisure activities that may increase flow experiences likely to be prohibited to many, either due to lack of dedicated leisure time or financial costs. Hard to assess impact movements such as 'Action for happiness' have on UK society. To conduct objective research all variables need to be controlled. E.g, maybe that wealthier people attracted to such movements, & therefore beneficial outcomes may be due to wealth rather than programme itself causing happiness.
• Not relevant (health):


  Hard to prove cause & effect-people happy as they're healthy or healthy as they're happy? Positive psychology could be significant influence in health sector, however it's not taken as seriously as it has difficulty in conducting research that draws clear cause & effect conclusions. Also doesn't focus on fixing issues itself.
• Csikszentmihalyi:


  Work can be major source of happiness. Flow theory-experiences most positive when both challenges & skills are high as not only enjoying moment, but also stretching capabilities with likelihood of learning new skills & increasing self-esteem.
• Csikszentmihalyi & LeFevre (1989):

  Most people experience 'flow' situations more than 3 times as much at work than during leisure. Working environments generally offer more opportunity for positive experiences. If workers admitted to themselves that work can be as or more enjoyable than most of leisure time, they may work more effectively & in process improve quality of their own lives.
• Oswald et al (2009):

  Happy workers 12% more productive.
• Is relevant (leisure & lifestyle advice):

  Csikszentmihalyi & LeFevre (1989): People increase their experience of flow & quality of their lives by being more conscious of & more active in use of leisure time e.g, instrument playing. Can bring people together e.g, team sports (positive connections good for wellbeing). Positive psychology evident in online 'projects' aiming to make life in UK society better e.g, 'Action for happiness'. Offers support for struggling with problems & depression-majority of site offers content e.g, '10 keys to happier living'. Movement for + social change.
• Kubzansky & Thurston (2007):


  Followed over 6000 men & women aged 25-74 for 20 years. Those with high levels of 'emotional vitality' (sense of enthusiasm, hopefulness etc) had reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Medical professionals may treat patients with advice on how to increase happiness. Reduces stress-helps physical & mental health. Increase + mindset which has + knock-on effects, e.g, increased exercise.
• Seligman et al (2009):

  Positive psychology curriculum (PPC) can promote skills & strengths valued by most, produce measurable improvements in students' well-being & behaviour & facilitate students' engagement in learning & achievement. However, further research needed to ensure programmes effective with students from variety of socio-economic & cultural backgrounds. (not relevant)
• Gillham et al (1995):


  1 PPC (Penn Resiliency Program (PRP)) provided support for claims. Students showed reduced symptoms of depression compared to control group. 24 months after intervention, 22% of PRP group showed symptoms compared to 44% of control group.
• Seligman et al (2009):

  Randomly assigned 347 ninth grade students to PPC class or non-PPC class. Students, parents & teachers completed standard questionnaires. PPC students more cooperative & had better social skills. 'Increasing skills of well-being doesn't antagonise traditional goals of classroom learning, but rather enhances them'.
• What is the problem with PPC?

  Likely means other courses have to be dropped from curriculum. Limited school budgets & many curricular demands. An editorial in 'Financial Times' (2007) suggested this means society may end up paying more for students to leave school with fewer academic achievements. Also lack of empirical evidence for PPC.
• Spence & Shortt (2007):

  Argue research on PPC based on small-scale or short-term interventions. Long-term research needed.