Positive Assumptions

Question 1

What is learned helplessness?

Answer 1

When individuals feel unable to control events in their lives, which makes them feel helpless and may develop depression

Question 2

What is the first assumption of the positive approach?

Answer 2

Acknowledgement of free will

Question 3

(A1) What does the assumption ‘acknowledgement of free will’ mean? (2)

Answer 3

• If people self-direct our emotions and become adaptive to them, we can experience a good life
• Happiness is not a result of genes or luck, it is a result of recognising our strengths and developing these to make our lives better

Question 4

(A1) What did Deiner and Seligman find in their 2002 study: ‘Very happy people’?

Answer 4

Found that students who had stronger connections to friends and family were happier

Question 5

(A1) How does the findings of Deiner and Seligman’s 2002 study demonstrate free will?

Answer 5

We can exercise our free will to improve and maintain our relationships

Question 6

What is the second assumption of the positive approach?

Answer 6

Focus on ‘the good life’

Question 7

(A2) What does the assumption ‘Focus on ‘the good life’’ mean?

Answer 7

Focus on factors that can contribute to a well lived life

Question 8

(A2) What are the three dimensions to happiness, according to Seligman?

Answer 8

• The pleasant life
• The good life
• The meaningful life

Question 9

(A2) What is the ‘pleasant life’, according to Seligman?

Answer 9

Activities focused on positive emotions that make us feel good

Question 10

(A2) What is the ‘good life’, according to Seligman?

Answer 10

Engaging in activities that absorb us and help us to reach a state of flow, where it feels like time stops

Question 11

(A2) What is the ‘meaningful life’, according to Seligman?

Answer 11

The state of fulfillment we get from using our character strengths for the good of society

Question 12

(A2) What did Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi find?

Answer 12

To reach flow, you need to be fully engaged in an activity.
It needs to be a balance between challenge of the task and skills we have to complete it

Question 13

(A3) What is the third assumption of positive psychology?

Answer 13

Authenticity of goodness and excellence

Question 14

(A3) What does the assumption ‘authenticity of goodness and excellence’ mean? (3)

Answer 14

• Other approaches only focus on the negatives of behaviours.
• This assumption states that positive emotions are just as authentic as negative ones.
• Rather than focusing on symptoms and trying to fix the problems, the approach develops the individual’s positive traits

Question 15

(A3) How can this assumption be used to treat a mental illness like depression?

Answer 15

Symptoms like low mood and lack of motivation can be improved by focusing on positive traits just as much as focusing on the negative traits

Question 16

(A3) What are Seligman’s theory of signature strengths?

Answer 16

• ‘Character strengths’ are essential to who we are
• The most satisfied, upbeat people are those who have utilised their signature strengths

Question 17

(A3) What are examples of signature strengths?

Answer 17

• Appreciation of Beauty
• Forgiveness
• Creativity

Question 18

(A3) Why are the signature strengths important when explaining behaviour? (2)

Answer 18

• When individuals discover their strengths, this allows them to improve their well-being and QOL.
• This might also explain why people may not feel satisfied with their life, like in depression