positive approach

• ASSUMPTION 1: FREE WILL
• Positive psychology rejects the idea of determinism
• It suggests that we are able to make conscious choices about how we think, feel and behave
• we also have the power to control our own happiness
• Ed Diener found that students who chose to spend more time with friends and family tended to be happier
• can also be seen in the use of mindfulness therapy, where individuals are encouraged to become more aware of their own feelings and emotions
• suggests that we can chose to engage in activities that make us happy and therefore improve our own well being
• ASSUMPTION 2: AUTHENTICITY OF GOODNESS AND EXCELLENCE
• Positive psychology believes that positive states (e.g. happiness) are just as authentic as negative ones (e.g. stress and anxiety)
• Seligman (2002) suggests there are 6 core virtues which are underpinned by 24 strengths
• He suggests that every has a different combination of these, referred to as our ‘signature strengths’
• He suggests that everyone should emphasise these and focus on what is good about ourselves and other people
• ASSUMPTION 3: FOCUS ON THE 'GOOD LIFE'
• The good life (things which contribute to a well lived life) is a main focus of positive psychology.
• Three desirable lives explained by Seligman
• 1. The pleasant life - Happiness comes from finding positive emotions from the past / present & future
• 2. The good life - Happiness from things / activities we pursue, Inc. good relations and work. The good life involves positive connection to others, positive individual traits & life regulation qualities
• 3. The meaningful life - Seligman suggests this is what people should seek to achieve. In this stage, happiness comes from a sense of fulfilment by living for a purpose greater than oneself
• assumption 2

  
• Relationships can be linked to the acknowledgement of free will
• 40% of the variance in happiness is due to intentional activity.
• One of the things suggested as an intentional activity to improve happiness is nurturing social relationships.
• suggests that we have the ability to chose who develop friendships and romantic relationships with
• people often make use of dating sites to be selective about potential partners.
• Authenticity of goodness and excellence

  Feelings of love, kindness, generosity and forgiveness and other positive qualities are authentic and this can explain why relationships are formed.
• Relationship allows individuals to develop and express their signature strengths
• individuals will strive toward a happier and more contented life whereby, through their relationships, they are able to nurture these qualities.
• According to the positive approach, we are socially programmed to work hard to find and build relationships with others
• These relationships, if positive contribute substantially to happiness
• Focus on the “Good Life”

  Seligman suggests that one of the elements of a good life is ‘positive connections to others’ and this can explain relationship formation
• For Seligman, happiness and the good life comes from pursing activities that absorb and engage us
• many people, social and romantic relationships, as well as relationships with one’s family, help us achieve this
• Research suggests that people in relationships are happier than those who are not
• Pew Research Centre (2005) reported 43% of married respondents to be very happy compared with 24% of unmarried respondents.
• mindfulness therapy
• Mindfulness is a way of training your mind using a simple form of meditation which involves focusing on your body and breath
• purpose of the therapy is to be able observe your thoughts and take control of stress and anxiety
• techniques have been used for a range of problems. For example, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends mindfulness as a preventative treatment for those who have had recurring depression
• Assumption 1: The authenticity of goodness and excellence

  This assumption suggests individuals should develop their natural strengths and virtues in order to achieve greater life fulfilment
• 1. This links to mindfulness as it aims to enhance a person’s positive characteristics through ‘acceptance-based methods’ which encourage the individual to develop core virtues such as gratitude