Positive psychology Study Guide

📖 Core Concepts Positive Psychology – scientific study of thriving and flourishing across biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global levels. Eudaimonia – human flourishing; “the good life” that blends authentic self‑expression, well‑being, and active engagement. Four Domains of Well‑Being – positive emotions, positive individual traits, positive relationships, positive institutions. Subjective Well‑Being (SWB) – consists of life satisfaction (cognitive evaluation), positive affect, and low negative affect. Hedonic vs. Eudaimonic Happiness – hedonic focuses on pleasure & pain avoidance; eudaimonic emphasizes meaning, purpose, and self‑realization. 📌 Must Remember PERMA Model – Positive emotions, Engagement (flow), Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishments; each independently measurable. Diener’s Tripartite Model – frequent positive affect, infrequent negative affect, high life satisfaction. Ryff’s Six‑Factor Model – self‑acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, environmental mastery, autonomy, positive relations. Keyes’ Three‑Component Model – hedonic, psychological, and social well‑being. Three Paths to Happiness – Pleasant Life (enjoyment), Good Life (flow), Meaningful Life (purpose). Character Strengths & Virtues (CSV) – 6 virtues (wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, transcendence) → 24 strengths (e.g., curiosity, bravery, gratitude). Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) – gratitude letters, kindness acts, optimism training, strength‑based exercises; effects last 3–6 months. Key Predictors of Well‑Being – high self‑esteem, optimism, self‑efficacy, sense of meaning, strong relationships; personality: high extraversion & agreeableness, low neuroticism. 🔄 Key Processes Designing a PPI Identify target strength or activity (e.g., gratitude). Set a specific, weekly practice (write one gratitude letter). Monitor well‑being pre‑ and post‑intervention (SWB scales). Achieving Flow Match task challenge to personal skill level. Minimize distractions; set clear goals. Focus attention fully on the activity; monitor loss of self‑awareness and altered time perception. Applying PERMA in Daily Life P: savor a pleasant moment each day. E: schedule at least one activity that uses a top strength. R: nurture one supportive relationship weekly. M: set a small, achievable goal; celebrate completion. A: reflect on progress toward a long‑term purpose. 🔍 Key Comparisons Pleasant Life vs. Good Life – Pleasant: seeks enjoyable experiences; Good: seeks optimal engagement (flow). Hedonic Happiness vs. Eudaimonic Happiness – Hedonic: pleasure‑focused; Eudaimonic: meaning‑focused. Positive Illusions vs. Realistic Optimism – Positive Illusions: unrealistically optimistic self‑views that may protect mood but harm relationships; Realistic Optimism: balanced positive expectations grounded in evidence. Second‑Wave PP (PP 2.0) vs. First‑Wave PP – PP 2.0: prioritizes meaning over sheer happiness; First‑Wave: emphasizes positive affect and strengths. ⚠️ Common Misunderstandings “More happiness = better health” – Correlation exists, but excessive pursuit (toxic positivity) can suppress needed negative emotions, leading to physiological stress. “Positive psychology ignores problems” – Critics claim this, but PP 2.0 and third‑wave approaches integrate negative experiences and systemic issues. “All positive emotions are equally beneficial” – Different emotions (e.g., awe vs. contentment) have distinct mechanisms; awe expands perception of time, while contentment stabilizes affect. 🧠 Mental Models / Intuition “Well‑Being is a Garden” – Soil = relationships & environment; seeds = strengths/virtues; water = positive emotions; pruning = managing negative affect. “Flow Funnel” – As challenge ↑ and skill ↑, flow appears; if challenge >> skill → anxiety, if skill >> challenge → boredom. “PERMA Pyramid” – Each block rests on the one below; missing a block (e.g., relationships) destabilizes the whole structure. 🚩 Exceptions & Edge Cases Age, gender, education – Not strong predictors of SWB; assume demographic neutrality unless specific cultural data provided. Positive Illusions – May be adaptive in short‑term stress but detrimental for long‑term social functioning. Cultural Context – Many models derive from Western samples; applicability to collectivist societies may vary. 📍 When to Use Which Choosing a Well‑Being Model – Use PERMA for interventions targeting multiple life domains; use Diener’s Tripartite for quick assessment of affect and satisfaction; use Ryff when exploring deeper psychological growth. Selecting an Intervention – If time‑pressed, employ gratitude letters (high effect size, low time). For skill development, use strength‑based activities aligned with CSV. Applying Flow Theory – Best for tasks requiring deep concentration (learning, creative work); avoid when tasks are routine or highly stressful. 👀 Patterns to Recognize Cluster of Strengths – Virtues often appear together (e.g., curiosity & creativity under Wisdom). Well‑Being Boosters – Social connection, purposeful work, and regular physical activity repeatedly emerge across studies. Adaptation Curve – New happiness activities show diminishing returns after 2 weeks; introduce variety to sustain gains. 🗂️ Exam Traps Distractor: “Positive psychology only studies happiness.” – Wrong; it also examines traits, relationships, and institutions. Distractor: “Toxic positivity is a recommended intervention.” – Incorrect; toxic positivity is a criticism, not a therapeutic technique. Distractor: “High SWB guarantees low neuroticism.” – Correlated but not absolute; individuals can report high life satisfaction while scoring moderately on neuroticism. Distractor: “All cultures score the same on PERMA.” – Measures may need cultural adaptation; results vary globally (e.g., World Happiness Report). --- All content is derived directly from the provided outline.