Does Positive Psychology Have Value In The Real

World?Dr John Parkinson

School of PsychologyBangor University

Tonight’s Aims

•What is Positive Psychology?

•What is Happiness?

•What are the Effects of Positivity?

•Is Happiness Achievable?

What is Positive Psychology?

“Positive mental health (wellbeing) is more than the absence of clinically defined mental disorder. The WHO definition of mental health as a ‘state of wellbeing in which the individual realises his or her abilities, copes with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully, and makes a contribution to his or her community’ (WHO, 2001, page 1),”

Positive Psychology and Wellbeing

1.Emphasis on positive (not negative)

2.The pursuit of happiness3.A population approach4.Humanistic approach – we are

resourceful5.Prevent and prosper

Positive Psychology

What is Happiness?

Perspectives on Happiness

US Declaration of Independence:Life, liberty and the pursuit of

Happiness

Aristippus (4th C BC):The goal of life is to maximise the

totality of one’s ‘pleasures’

Bentham (and other Utilitarians):The best action (for a government or

an individual) which procures the greatest happiness for the greatest

numbers

Not Everyone Sees A Happy World

Freud:

“One feels inclined to say that the intention that man should be happy is not included in the plan of Creation”

Larkin:

Man hands on misery to man

It deepens like a coastal shelf

Get out as early as you can

And don’t have kids yourself.

Two Types of ‘Happiness’

pleasure, enjoyment, emotion, fun

AFFECT

Happiness the Second

gratification, contentment, meaning, reflection

COGNITION

fulfilment and meaning

momentary rewards Time

Happiness is (1) how you feel and (2) how you interpret that in the greater context of your life

Is happiness inherited or learnt?Lykken (1996)Genes

~50% Learning, life experiences, situational

factors ~50%

Set-point of happiness (like weight)?

Attitude, control, hardiness, experience

Trait Positivity

What are the psychological and physical effects of positive mood/

happiness?

Cohen et al., 1991

Stress -> Illness

Trait Positive Emotional Style (Vigor and well-being)

Participants quarantined and exposed – tracked for 5 days

Controlled for stress levels, previous antibody levels etc.

Cohen et al., 2006

Resilience -> Health

• What happens when we are happy?

• Intuitively – relaxed, sociable, generous...

• Also appears to make us more open-minded, optimistic and creative

Compare effects of positive and negative emotions:

E.g. Fear - focuses thought-action repertoires

- context of win-lose thinking...

- self-protective and inward-looking

-ve emotions have a clear adaptive focus and drive

Effects of Emotion

• Broaden and Build theory (Isen, 2000, Fredrickson, 2002)

• ‘Expansive’ thought-action repertoires

• Creates a context of win-win interactions...

• Engenders outward looking attitudes, optimism and creativity

Adaptive value is in affiliation, problem-solving (coping), goal-planning and growth

Effects of Happiness

• (Isen 1970, Isen and Levin 1972)

• Participants discovered coins in payphone change box (positive mood induction)

• Shortly afterwards, participants met a stooge who had dropped papers or were struggling to carry books

• Coin-finders compared to controls were significantly more likely to help out

Positive emotion engenders altruism

• (Estrada et al., 1997)

• Doctors given treats (e.g. chocolate) just prior to being asked to make diagnosis (they were not allowed to eat the treats)

• They exhibited better decision-making and diagnosis skills

Positive emotion engenders superior reasoning

Happiness, Altruism, Reasoning

(Fredrickson 2000)

- Positive mood induction (watching a funny film)

- Increases problem solving skills and increases ability to think of new ideas

Positive emotion increases creativity

Happiness and Creativity

(Frijda, 1994)

• Joy promotes playfulness

• Play has an adaptive function in promoting social interaction and attachment as well as building resources

Positive emotion increases social interaction and attachment

Happiness & Attachment

‘We are disturbed not by events, but by the views which we take of them.’

Epictetus

Interpretation - of the past(memory bias)

- of the present(mood)

- of the future(optimism and hope)

Attributional (or Explanatory) Style

Distorted Thinking

Mark and Smith, 2011

Depression or Job Satisfaction inUniversity Employees

Proudfoot et al., 2009

Attributional Training and Job Satisfaction

Positive Attributional Style & Optimism- Is adaptive, motivating, engenders self-confidence

- Is learnt and can be changed1. Better academic achievement (e.g. college

grades)2. Better sport performance (both individual and

team sports)3. Happier family life (positive interactions and

long-term marital satisfaction)4. Better coping strategies to loss and life events

(re-appraise loss in positive terms, distraction not denial)

(Gillham 2000; Seligman, 1988; 1998; Fincham, 2000; Nolen-Hoeksema, 2000)

Summary

What would a positive psychology intervention look like?

Positive Psychology Interventions

Positive memory recall - 3 good things

Gratitude letters

Using inner strengths

Confidence statements

Future goal setting - best possible self

Optimistic thinking - attributional training

Communication and socialising

Positive Psychology <---> Psychotherapy

Promoting Positive Thought Routines1. Selection of ‘pos psy’ or ‘cognitive’

exercise (8 weeks)Optimistic thinking (best possible self)Appreciation (gratitude)Control (Compile a list of activities completed)

2. Amount of effort engaged

Positive Change Requies Effort

and a Motivation to Change

Lyubomirsky 2011

How to Deliver an Intervention

Online vs In-person

Peer testimonial

Best possible self (4 weeks: social, health, academic, career)

Best Possible Self

Considering a Positive Future

Gains achieved through both: In person

Online

Peer testimonial also increased gains

HopeFuture goal achievementThe possibility of changePersonal choice and autonomy

Depression Status

Self-selection

Administration format (individual, group, self)

Administration duration (legacy, effort)

Age

‘Shotgun’ approach

Culture

Effect Size Moderators

Does Positive Psychology have Value in the Real World?- As a field of study, it

explores the positive potential of humanity (research-led, evidence-based)

- As a practical guide, it provides tools to improve immediate affect and longer term attitudes

Thank you