Positive debate - relevance of positive psychology.

• Relevant in education - positive psychology in curriculum can increase students happiness. Positive psychology curriculum 247 9th grade students got ppc were more cooperative and had better social skills. Used in Baltimore MBSR improved stress.
• Not relevant in education - Spence and shortt on a small scale is it good for different working backgrounds. London, some had dedicated lesson and some used previous methods. Due to budget cuts some cannot do this as qualifications are more important than PPC.
• Relevant in the workplace - Oswald experiment 276 ppts happiness increased positivity productivity. Each ppt given a paid task (maths based) paid for each correct answer. Happy group 12% greater productivity compared to the control group.
• Not relevant in psychology - not everyone has the luxury of pleasure in the workplace. Not everyone can achieve flow at work. Happiness isn't relevant in work sector only are in the rich society.
• Relevant in health sector - Davidson effects on mindfulness and meditation on brain function and immune system compared to the control group. MBSR showed increased activity in area of brain associated with positive emotions. All participants given influenza immunisation jab - MBSR group produced more antibodies. Kubzansky and Thurston 6000+ men and women aged 25-74 for 20 years. Positivity means a reduced risk of coronary heart disease.
• Not relevant in health sector - Davidson can't establish cause and effect as those in MBSR condition had naturally better immune system in areas on brain associated with positive emotions. Majority of research into PP and good health can't be established. Tendency to good health makes them happier and higher levels of emotional vitality.
• Ethical Implications - gives life long skills to manage well-being. unethical to suggest happiness is in someones control as some face social and economic hardship affecting happiness.
• Social implication - if education health, workplace invest in PP this will lead to a happier and healthier society.
• Economic implications - economic benefits if happiness boosts productivity by having happier employees, will work more productively, improves UK's overall rank for world happiness.
• Conclusions - PP has shown to have relevance and value across key areas of society. PP requires time and commitment so may not be available to all. More controlled, long term research needs to be conducted some areas of PP as until then society may not be convinced that PP is relevant for them and invest in it.