Positive approach notes

• Positive Approach

  Assumptions, Acknowledgement of free will , the focus on the good life and the authenticity of goodness
• Acknowledgement of Free Will

  • We have the free will to control emotions, and we are adaptive and self-directing to achieve our own strengths
  • Happiness is not determined by genes or luck and we are in control of our own happiness
• Positive Approach


  • Diener and Seligman found that investing in forming relationships with family and friends lowered depression and increased happiness, proving we can control our own happiness by engaging in activities that make us happy
  • Sonja found 40% of variance in happiness is due to intentional activity
• Positive Approach

  Another assumption is the focus on the good life
• The good life

  • Engaging in activities that absorb us and help us reach a state of flow, focusing on our signature strengths, having positive relationships with others, and working on our goals
• The meaningful life


  Reaching a state of fulfillment from using our character strengths for a deeper purpose, using our signature strengths such as humour or curiosity
• Positive individual strengths


  • Honesty
  • Integrity
• Flow theory


  Being fully engaged in activities increases happiness
• Assumption of free will , meaning we have the free will to control our emotions and we are adaptive and self directing to achieve our own strengths, Seligman also believed that happiness is not determined by genes or luck but that we are in control of our own happiness for example Diener and Seligman found that investing or forming relationships with family and friends lowered depression which therefore increased happiness proving we are in control of our happiness