139 Chapter 11 PPT Final Version

The Psychology of the PersonThe Psychology of the PersonChapter 11 Humanistic ApproachChapter 11 Humanistic Approach

Naomi Wagner, Ph.DNaomi Wagner, Ph.DLecture Outlines Lecture Outlines

Based on Burger, 9Based on Burger, 9thth edition edition

The “Third Force”The “Third Force”

The Humanistic approach has emerged in the The Humanistic approach has emerged in the late 1960’s, primarily as a reaction to the two late 1960’s, primarily as a reaction to the two major views of humanity popular at that timemajor views of humanity popular at that time The The Freudian Freudian perspective and its emphasis on perspective and its emphasis on unconscious sexual and aggressive instinctsunconscious sexual and aggressive instinctsThe The behavioralbehavioral perspective, and its emphasis perspective, and its emphasis on the mechanical nature of responses to stimuli on the mechanical nature of responses to stimuli in the environment. The humanistic perspective, in the environment. The humanistic perspective, thus, as been called the “third force”. thus, as been called the “third force”.

Reaction Against the Deterministic Reaction Against the Deterministic Perspective of Human Nature Perspective of Human Nature

In Psychoanalysis, the unconscious is a In Psychoanalysis, the unconscious is a hypothetical concept that cannot be empirically hypothetical concept that cannot be empirically validated validated We are seen as captive in the “hands” of forces We are seen as captive in the “hands” of forces unknown to us unknown to us In the Behavioral Approach, we are seen as being In the Behavioral Approach, we are seen as being manipulated without being fully aware by classical manipulated without being fully aware by classical and operant conditioningand operant conditioning Ideas based on studies of rats that learned to Ideas based on studies of rats that learned to run in a maze to find food.run in a maze to find food.

The Skinner BoxThe Skinner BoxPicture shows a rat pulling as lever in a box Picture shows a rat pulling as lever in a box

Roots of the Humanistic Approach Roots of the Humanistic Approach 1. Existential Philosophy 1. Existential Philosophy

Existential philosophy addresses many of the Existential philosophy addresses many of the questions that later became the cornerstone of questions that later became the cornerstone of the Humanistic approach, such as, the the Humanistic approach, such as, the meaning of our existence, the role of free will, meaning of our existence, the role of free will, and the uniqueness of each individual. and the uniqueness of each individual. The existentialists, such as Rollo May, focused The existentialists, such as Rollo May, focused on existential anxiety- the feeling of dread on existential anxiety- the feeling of dread associated with the realization that there is no associated with the realization that there is no meaning to one’s life. meaning to one’s life.

Existential Anxiety- What is there to life?Existential Anxiety- What is there to life?Munch: The Scream Munch: The Scream

Picture is multicolor, shows a man standing on a bridge, covering Picture is multicolor, shows a man standing on a bridge, covering his ears, and seems to be screaming his ears, and seems to be screaming

2. The clinical experiences of Carl 2. The clinical experiences of Carl Rogers and Abraham MaslowRogers and Abraham Maslow. .

The founders of the Humanistic Approach, Carl The founders of the Humanistic Approach, Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, were both Rogers and Abraham Maslow, were both therapists therapists At that time, the Freudian model of therapy was At that time, the Freudian model of therapy was popular, viewing the therapist as an expert who popular, viewing the therapist as an expert who tells the client what is the problemtells the client what is the problemRogers maintained that it was only the client that Rogers maintained that it was only the client that is responsible for the therapeutic directionis responsible for the therapeutic directionThe therapist can create conditions for self-The therapist can create conditions for self-exploration. exploration.

The Freudian Model of Psychotherapy The Freudian Model of Psychotherapy

The therapist as the “know- al” expertThe therapist as the “know- al” expertPicture shows a woman lying on a sofa and a man is Picture shows a woman lying on a sofa and a man is sitting behind her. sitting behind her.

Viktor Frankl- An Existential Psychologist Viktor Frankl- An Existential Psychologist

All of Frankl’s family died in the Nazi All of Frankl’s family died in the Nazi concentration campconcentration campFrankl survived, and struggled to search for Frankl survived, and struggled to search for meaning in the face of horrible adversitymeaning in the face of horrible adversityHe believed the examining the finiteness of He believed the examining the finiteness of our existence and inevitable mortality adds our existence and inevitable mortality adds meaning to life, as we ask ourselves- Why meaning to life, as we ask ourselves- Why do we exist? What do we want from life? do we exist? What do we want from life? How can we make every moment count? How can we make every moment count?

What is the best way to spend the time that What is the best way to spend the time that is left?is left?

Frankl concludes that the Frankl concludes that the meaning of life is is found in every moment of living; life never found in every moment of living; life never ceases to have meaning, even in suffering ceases to have meaning, even in suffering and death and death http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27s_Search_for_Meaning%27s_Search_for_Meaning

From the Ashes to HopeFrom the Ashes to HopePicture shows Jewish prisoners in Nazi death campsPicture shows Jewish prisoners in Nazi death camps

Another picture of a bird perched on a barbed wire Another picture of a bird perched on a barbed wire

Viktor Frankl Conclusion Viktor Frankl Conclusion

““Love is the highest and ultimate goal to Love is the highest and ultimate goal to which man can aspire which man can aspire The Salvation of man is in love and through The Salvation of man is in love and through love love A man who has nothing left in this world still A man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, if only for a brief moment in may know bliss, if only for a brief moment in the contemplation of the beloved” the contemplation of the beloved” Frankl's meaning in life is to help others find Frankl's meaning in life is to help others find theirs. theirs.

Cognitive-Restructuring Cognitive-Restructuring

Frankl’s ideas have been translated into Frankl’s ideas have been translated into the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapythe Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Picture shows Viktor Frankl Picture shows Viktor Frankl

Key Elements of the Humanistic Key Elements of the Humanistic ApproachApproach

The Humanistic Perspective has not The Humanistic Perspective has not presented a comprehensive presented a comprehensive framework, but rather a collection of framework, but rather a collection of major principles that can be seen as major principles that can be seen as directives to life.directives to life.

Key Elements of the Humanistic Key Elements of the Humanistic Perspective Perspective

Emphasis on personal responsibility (You Emphasis on personal responsibility (You don’t “have to” do your homework, you don’t “have to” do your homework, you have chosen to do so). You are not a have chosen to do so). You are not a victim of circumstances!victim of circumstances!Picture shows a boy falling asleep on pile of books on his desk Picture shows a boy falling asleep on pile of books on his desk

Key Elements (cont-d) Key Elements (cont-d)

Emphasis on functioning in the “here and Emphasis on functioning in the “here and now”– Do not be a captive of your past!now”– Do not be a captive of your past!Picture shows an elderly woman watching her image in the mirror, Picture shows an elderly woman watching her image in the mirror, that sews a young reflection that sews a young reflection

Key Elements (cont-d) Key Elements (cont-d)

Acknowledging the phenomenology of the Acknowledging the phenomenology of the individual- - the fact that it is only the client (in individual- - the fact that it is only the client (in therapy) that can make decision for him/herself.therapy) that can make decision for him/herself.Picture shows an elderly woman looking in the mirror and a caption Picture shows an elderly woman looking in the mirror and a caption reads “Who am I?” reads “Who am I?”

Key Elements (cont-d) Key Elements (cont-d)

Emphasis on personal growth—Rogers called Emphasis on personal growth—Rogers called this ”becoming a fully functioning, while Maslow this ”becoming a fully functioning, while Maslow referred to this idea as “self-actualization”.referred to this idea as “self-actualization”.Picture shows a man standing on the top of a cliff raising both handsPicture shows a man standing on the top of a cliff raising both hands

Self-Actualization- What is it? Self-Actualization- What is it?

There is more to life than the absence of There is more to life than the absence of problems problems The Humanistic perspective maintains that we The Humanistic perspective maintains that we all have a drive toward “self-actualization”all have a drive toward “self-actualization”It means: To become that best we can become, It means: To become that best we can become, in the context of our life (you do not have to in the context of our life (you do not have to receive the Nobel Prize). receive the Nobel Prize).

Carl Rogers and Person-Centered Carl Rogers and Person-Centered TherapyTherapy

The role of the therapist is to create an The role of the therapist is to create an atmosphere of “unconditional positive regard” atmosphere of “unconditional positive regard” to enable the client’s self-exploration and to enable the client’s self-exploration and becoming “fully functioning”. becoming “fully functioning”. Paraphrasing and reflection of feelings were Paraphrasing and reflection of feelings were methods to facilitate self-explorationmethods to facilitate self-explorationRogers described the “fully- functioning Rogers described the “fully- functioning person” as an ideal for healthy personality. person” as an ideal for healthy personality. Rogers saw anxiety as resulting from our Rogers saw anxiety as resulting from our inability to incorporate information that is inability to incorporate information that is inconsistent with our self-imageinconsistent with our self-image

Rogers (cont-d) Rogers (cont-d)

Note his emphasis on social-Note his emphasis on social-environmental causes of emotional environmental causes of emotional maladjustment (in contrast to the biological maladjustment (in contrast to the biological approach), when he sees parental approach), when he sees parental conditional acceptance. conditional acceptance. The Rogerian therapist would say to a The Rogerian therapist would say to a client: “I do not like what you did, but I still client: “I do not like what you did, but I still respect you as a human being”. respect you as a human being”.

Abraham MaslowAbraham Maslow

Abraham Maslow was interested in Abraham Maslow was interested in exploring the sources of happy, healthy exploring the sources of happy, healthy personality. personality. His approach was optimistic, regarding His approach was optimistic, regarding human beings as free-willed individuals, human beings as free-willed individuals, and not as captive by unconscious drivesand not as captive by unconscious drivesHis contribution is in the hierarchy of His contribution is in the hierarchy of needs, and in the study of the needs, and in the study of the psychologically-healthy individuals. psychologically-healthy individuals.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow distinguished between D Maslow distinguished between D (deficiency) needs and B (being) needs.(deficiency) needs and B (being) needs.Physiological needsPhysiological needsSafety needs Safety needs Love and Belongingness needs Love and Belongingness needs Esteem needs (you value yourself, and Esteem needs (you value yourself, and others also value you)others also value you)Self-Actualization needsSelf-Actualization needs

Hierarchy of NeedsHierarchy of Needs

Misconceptions about Maslow Hierarchy Misconceptions about Maslow Hierarchy

You do not have to fulfill all the needs in You do not have to fulfill all the needs in one level to “climb” to the next level one level to “climb” to the next level Some people who starve for their loved Some people who starve for their loved one, or for their life workone, or for their life workTe needs in each level are never fully Te needs in each level are never fully satisfiedsatisfiedThere are cultural differences in the ways There are cultural differences in the ways the needs are regarded and are fulfilledthe needs are regarded and are fulfilled

The “psychologically-Healthy” PeopleThe “psychologically-Healthy” People

Maslow’s study of the psychologically- Maslow’s study of the psychologically- healthy people was Not empirically-based healthy people was Not empirically-based He examined his friends, whom he judged He examined his friends, whom he judged to be psychologically healthy, as well as to be psychologically healthy, as well as historical figureshistorical figuresHis analysis was “holistic” and subjectiveHis analysis was “holistic” and subjectiveYet, it was relevant that he called attention Yet, it was relevant that he called attention to the healthy aspects of human natureto the healthy aspects of human nature

Attributes of the Psychologically-Attributes of the Psychologically-Healthy peopleHealthy people

Sense of humor Sense of humor Creativity- not in artistic talent, but in Creativity- not in artistic talent, but in being able to perform mundane tasks in being able to perform mundane tasks in a non-routine manner. a non-routine manner. Open to new experiences Open to new experiences Having “peak experiences” involving the Having “peak experiences” involving the transcendence of time and place. transcendence of time and place.

Current Status of the Humanistic Approach Current Status of the Humanistic Approach

Many of the concepts do not lend Many of the concepts do not lend themselves for operational definitions themselves for operational definitions and for scientific study.and for scientific study. A great deal of the studies conducted by A great deal of the studies conducted by Maslow and Rogers to support their Maslow and Rogers to support their ideas were based on their own subjective ideas were based on their own subjective impressions and intuition.impressions and intuition. The concept of free will has been The concept of free will has been challenged. challenged.

Current Status (cont-d) Current Status (cont-d)

Many of the concepts do not lend Many of the concepts do not lend themselves for operational definitions themselves for operational definitions and for scientific study.and for scientific study. A great deal of the studies conducted by A great deal of the studies conducted by Maslow and Rogers to support their Maslow and Rogers to support their ideas were based on their own subjective ideas were based on their own subjective impressions and intuition.impressions and intuition. The concept of free will has been The concept of free will has been challenged. challenged.

Limitations' Limitations'

Some researchers questioned the effectiveness Some researchers questioned the effectiveness of the Rogerian therapy (how do you measure of the Rogerian therapy (how do you measure success in therapy?). It may be more success in therapy?). It may be more appropriate for people in “life transitions” than appropriate for people in “life transitions” than for deep-seated psychological disordersfor deep-seated psychological disordersThe appropriateness of relying on the client to The appropriateness of relying on the client to make accurate appraisals of themselves has make accurate appraisals of themselves has been questioned. been questioned. The naïve assumptions about the goodness of The naïve assumptions about the goodness of individuals. individuals.

Applications Applications

Rogers applied his ideas into a system of Rogers applied his ideas into a system of therapy that emphasizes the creation of the therapy that emphasizes the creation of the right conditions to allow the client to accept right conditions to allow the client to accept him/herself, and to achieve personal growth. him/herself, and to achieve personal growth. Extending to the client “unconditional positive Extending to the client “unconditional positive regard” facilitates this goal. regard” facilitates this goal. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been applied into understanding job satisfaction applied into understanding job satisfaction and vocational choices.and vocational choices.

The Psychology of Optimal Experience and The Psychology of Optimal Experience and Positive Psychology Positive Psychology

The legacy of the Humanistic Approach is The legacy of the Humanistic Approach is in the emergence of the new branch of in the emergence of the new branch of psychology, Positive Psychologypsychology, Positive PsychologyThis branch focuses of human virtues, This branch focuses of human virtues, strengths, resilience, and coping with strengths, resilience, and coping with adversityadversityAn important topic is the pursuit of An important topic is the pursuit of happiness- What is happiness? happiness- What is happiness?

Positive Psychology Positive Psychology

Positive PsychologyPositive Psychology had emerged had emerged gradually, and it is associated today with gradually, and it is associated today with the names of Martin Seligman, who the names of Martin Seligman, who started his involvement in this field with started his involvement in this field with his studies of optimism, and Mihaly his studies of optimism, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who coined the term Csikszentmihalyi, who coined the term “The Flow” (see later) “The Flow” (see later) The focus of Positive Psychology is on The focus of Positive Psychology is on human strengths and virtueshuman strengths and virtuesThe study of resilience in face of adversity The study of resilience in face of adversity is related to this issue is related to this issue

Historical Background Historical Background

It seems that in the earlier part of It seems that in the earlier part of the 20th century there was interest in the 20th century there was interest in variables related to positive issues, variables related to positive issues, such Terman and his studies of such Terman and his studies of giftedness, or Carl Jung and his search giftedness, or Carl Jung and his search for the “meaning of life”for the “meaning of life” In the aftermath of World War II In the aftermath of World War II (1939-1945) the need has arisen for (1939-1945) the need has arisen for clinical psychologists to take care of a clinical psychologists to take care of a host of psychological problemshost of psychological problems

Cont-d Cont-d

Clinical psychology has originally evolved Clinical psychology has originally evolved from the need to understand and intervene from the need to understand and intervene in psychological disorders (e.g. Freud and in psychological disorders (e.g. Freud and his patients).his patients).Positive Psychology focuses on human Positive Psychology focuses on human strengths and resilience, the ability to strengths and resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity.bounce back from adversity.

• We tend to think of traumatic events as We tend to think of traumatic events as disruptive and painful, and related to later disruptive and painful, and related to later maladjustment, and there is a change nowmaladjustment, and there is a change now

Resilience Resilience

• Positive Psychology focuses on the search for inner Positive Psychology focuses on the search for inner strength that may enable a person undergoing a strength that may enable a person undergoing a traumatic event to find the silver lining around the traumatic event to find the silver lining around the cloud.cloud.

• The concept of post-trauma growth reflects the The concept of post-trauma growth reflects the translation of this idea into clinical psychology, when translation of this idea into clinical psychology, when we offer services to the survivors of traumawe offer services to the survivors of trauma

•

The Psychology of Optimal Experience The Psychology of Optimal Experience

In searching for the meaning of happiness, In searching for the meaning of happiness, Csikszentmihlyi introduced the concept of Csikszentmihlyi introduced the concept of “flow”, quite similar to Maslow’s Peak “flow”, quite similar to Maslow’s Peak ExperienceExperienceIt involves being totally absorbed in an activity It involves being totally absorbed in an activity that requires your full attention and utilizes that requires your full attention and utilizes your skills to the utmostyour skills to the utmostYou have a feeling you are in a state of “flow”You have a feeling you are in a state of “flow”There are 8 components of the “flow” (see There are 8 components of the “flow” (see textbook).textbook).

Topics in Positive Psychology Topics in Positive Psychology

The pursuit of happiness: David Myers, The pursuit of happiness: David Myers, in his studies of happiness, uses the in his studies of happiness, uses the concept of concept of relative deprivation-relative deprivation- a a term coined originally by researches term coined originally by researches studying the satisfaction of American studying the satisfaction of American soldiers during World War II (Merton and soldiers during World War II (Merton and Kitt, 1950; Stouffer and others, 1949)Kitt, 1950; Stouffer and others, 1949) Relative DeprivationRelative Deprivation refers to the refers to the perception that one is less well-off than perception that one is less well-off than others with whom one compares oneselfothers with whom one compares oneself

Myers (cont-d) Myers (cont-d)

Frustration is often compounded by Frustration is often compounded by the fact that we compare ourselves the fact that we compare ourselves to others who are a rung or two to others who are a rung or two above us in their level of income. above us in their level of income. One possible source of frustration One possible source of frustration today is the affluence depicted in TV today is the affluence depicted in TV programs.programs.

Happiness, Where are You? Happiness, Where are You?

Positive psychologists argue that Positive psychologists argue that happiness cannot be found solely through happiness cannot be found solely through material possessions (though some level material possessions (though some level of material possessions need to be of material possessions need to be regarded as basic for survival)regarded as basic for survival) Happiness cannot be found in money Happiness cannot be found in money (after you have the basic necessities and (after you have the basic necessities and some more…) because the human mind some more…) because the human mind has a tendency to escalate or raise the has a tendency to escalate or raise the bar whenever a goal is reached- we want bar whenever a goal is reached- we want more. more.

(cont-d) (cont-d)

Some authors suggest that the more Some authors suggest that the more energy is invested in the acquisition energy is invested in the acquisition of material goods, the less energy of material goods, the less energy remains to invest in social remains to invest in social connections and other spheres of life connections and other spheres of life that can bring happiness. that can bring happiness.

The Flow The Flow

The flowThe flow is another central concept of is another central concept of Positive Psychology, and it refers to an Positive Psychology, and it refers to an “optimal experience”, in which one is “optimal experience”, in which one is engaged in an activity (that may vary engaged in an activity (that may vary from one person to another), and is from one person to another), and is being carried out in a natural, almost being carried out in a natural, almost effortless movement from one step to effortless movement from one step to the nextthe nextHappiness is not seen as a specific Happiness is not seen as a specific destination, but as a process of destination, but as a process of challenging oneself in a meaningful challenging oneself in a meaningful activity activity

Cont-dCont-d

The activity is challenging and The activity is challenging and requires skill; one’s attention is requires skill; one’s attention is completely absorbed; the activity has completely absorbed; the activity has clear goal; one achieves a sense of clear goal; one achieves a sense of personal control; one loses a sense of personal control; one loses a sense of time and self-consciousnesstime and self-consciousness

U. Of Penn Center for Positive U. Of Penn Center for Positive PsychologyPsychology

The following remarks are from The following remarks are from http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/ppintroarticle.pdf (please read!! very interesting and (please read!! very interesting and important): “Positive Psychology” : important): “Positive Psychology” : An Introduction. An Introduction.

From U. of Penn ArticleFrom U. of Penn Article“Subjective Well-Being” “Subjective Well-Being”

Edward Diener studies “subjective well-being”- Edward Diener studies “subjective well-being”- what people think and how they feel about what people think and how they feel about their lives, the cognitive and affective their lives, the cognitive and affective conclusions they reach when they evaluate conclusions they reach when they evaluate their lives. their lives. This term actually reflects what is that people This term actually reflects what is that people mean by happinessmean by happinessSeligman and Csikszentmihalyi note that even Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi note that even though subjective well-being research relies though subjective well-being research relies primarily on global self-ratings, its findings are primarily on global self-ratings, its findings are plausible.plausible.

Temperamental Correlates of Temperamental Correlates of Subjective Well-Being Subjective Well-Being

Temperamental dimensions were found to Temperamental dimensions were found to be correlated with subjective well-being, be correlated with subjective well-being, especially especially optimismoptimism. . Optimism seems to mediate between Optimism seems to mediate between external events and the person’s external events and the person’s interpretation of these eventsinterpretation of these events Another trait associated with subjective Another trait associated with subjective well-being is well-being is self-determinationself-determination. . Researchers Ryan and Deci propose that Researchers Ryan and Deci propose that when the three related human needs, for when the three related human needs, for competence, belongingness, and autonomy, competence, belongingness, and autonomy, are satisfied, personal well-being is are satisfied, personal well-being is optimized. optimized.

Myers’ View of HappinessMyers’ View of Happiness

David Myers sees happiness related David Myers sees happiness related to funds (a basic level of income to to funds (a basic level of income to sustain oneself), friends (close sustain oneself), friends (close personal relationship) and faith personal relationship) and faith (people who report some type of (people who report some type of spiritual/religious connection report a spiritual/religious connection report a higher level of subjective well-being) higher level of subjective well-being)

Myers (cont-d) Myers (cont-d)

According to Myers, traditional According to Myers, traditional values must contain important values must contain important elements of truth if they have elements of truth if they have survived across generations. In survived across generations. In addition, Myers also notes that the addition, Myers also notes that the perception that one has control over perception that one has control over one’s life is related to happinessone’s life is related to happiness

Cerebral Asymmetry and Happiness Cerebral Asymmetry and Happiness

Recent studies of cerebral asymmetry Recent studies of cerebral asymmetry identified that the processing of positive identified that the processing of positive emotions occurs in the left hemisphere, and emotions occurs in the left hemisphere, and negative emotions in the right hemispherenegative emotions in the right hemisphere Some of us, while in resting, non-emotional Some of us, while in resting, non-emotional state, show higher right hemispheral state, show higher right hemispheral activity, and some higher left, again activity, and some higher left, again suggesting the heritability of positive or suggesting the heritability of positive or negative emotional responses negative emotional responses

Being Unrealistically OptimisticBeing Unrealistically OptimisticA bit of “defenses” Might be Good for You! A bit of “defenses” Might be Good for You!

Valliant suggests that mature defenses Valliant suggests that mature defenses such as altruism, sublimation (channeling such as altruism, sublimation (channeling pain into some productive), creative pain into some productive), creative activity, humor, positive anticipation- can activity, humor, positive anticipation- can help one overcome life disappointments.help one overcome life disappointments. Shelly Taylor cites studies indicating that Shelly Taylor cites studies indicating that unrealistically optimistic beliefs about the unrealistically optimistic beliefs about the future can protect people from illness. future can protect people from illness. http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/ppintroarticle.pdf

Final Note on Positive PsychologyFinal Note on Positive Psychology

Psychology has been focused on the Psychology has been focused on the negative, may be because negative negative, may be because negative emotions may reflect more urgent emotions may reflect more urgent problems that need clinical attention.problems that need clinical attention. This would make evolutionary sense, This would make evolutionary sense, because immediate problems or dangers because immediate problems or dangers may require immediate attention. It has may require immediate attention. It has been also suggested that people are been also suggested that people are blinded to the survival value of positive blinded to the survival value of positive emotions because they seem “natural”. emotions because they seem “natural”.

Cont-d Cont-d

We take for granted how much love, hope, We take for granted how much love, hope, enjoyment, and trust are important and allow us to enjoyment, and trust are important and allow us to go on living.go on living. These conditions are fundamental to existence, These conditions are fundamental to existence, and if they are present, many obstacles can be and if they are present, many obstacles can be overcome. overcome. Albert Camus, the French philosopher wrote that Albert Camus, the French philosopher wrote that the foremost question of philosophy is why should the foremost question of philosophy is why should not one commit suicide. In this connection, one not one commit suicide. In this connection, one cannot answer this question just by curing cannot answer this question just by curing depression. There must be positive reasons for depression. There must be positive reasons for living as well. Studying positive human traits can living as well. Studying positive human traits can help improve mental health. help improve mental health.

Food for Thought Food for Thought

What is the relationship between What is the relationship between momentary experience of happiness momentary experience of happiness and a long-lasting experience of and a long-lasting experience of content, of well being?content, of well being?How much delayed gratification is How much delayed gratification is necessary to increase the chances of necessary to increase the chances of long-term well-being?long-term well-being?What is the genetic contribution What is the genetic contribution (heritability) to positive states of (heritability) to positive states of mind? mind?

Food (cont-d) Food (cont-d)

Why do most people opt for pleasure Why do most people opt for pleasure (such in satisfying homeostatic (such in satisfying homeostatic needs) over enjoyment (when they needs) over enjoyment (when they do something that stretches them do something that stretches them beyond what they are)? beyond what they are)? What should be the relationship What should be the relationship between individual well-being and between individual well-being and collective well-being? collective well-being?

More More

How are positive dispositions and How are positive dispositions and negative dispositions related to one negative dispositions related to one another? another? How can positive traits be How can positive traits be encouraged in psychotherapy? encouraged in psychotherapy? Is positive psychology descriptive, or Is positive psychology descriptive, or prescriptive (such as clinical prescriptive (such as clinical psychology)psychology)