Assignment #3: Doing Good Deeds This assignment is based on a number of concepts from class, including the lessons on positive emotions, compassion and gratitude. It’s also based on the information we covered in Week 7, when I introduced you to the idea that you can BEHAVE yourself into a new way of THINKING, and thus into HAPPINESS! “If psychologists have proven anything during the last 30 years, they have proven that the actions we take leave a residue inside us. Every time we act, we amplify the underlying idea or tendency behind it. Most people presume the reverse: that our traits and attitudes affect our behavior. While this is true to a certain extent (though less so than commonly supposed), it is also true that our traits and attitudes follow our behavior. We are as likely to act ourselves into a new way of thinking as to think ourselves into a new way of acting. ” ( David G. Myers, July 01, 1992. Psychology Today). Research suggests that we have evolved to be kind…that kindness is built into our DNA. Yet in today’s technological world, there is a growing concern that people are becoming more and more selfish. There is research suggesting that technology is creating a more isolated, lonely and self-absorbed generation, prompting the suggestion that many are suffering from a new disorder, and it has been called “iDisorder”. According to Dr. Larry Rosen, An iDisorder “changes your brain´s ability to process information and your ability to relate to the world due to your daily use of media and technology, resulting in signs and symptoms of psychological disorders”, such as narcissism and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. (Larry D Rosen, PhD. Rewired). On the positive side, global compassion is possible, but we need to start taking action now. According to the Dali Lama, global compassion starts with inner peace. From our own inner peace, we can then reach out to humanity, educating them on the benefits of compassion, as well as forgiveness and gratitude. This will likely not be achievable in his lifetime, but he is hopeful that by the middle of this century, we
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Assignment #3: Doing Good Deeds
This assignment is based on a number of concepts from class, including the lessons on positive emotions, compassion and gratitude. It’s also based on the information we covered in Week 7, when I introduced you to the idea that you can BEHAVE yourself into a new way of THINKING, and thus into HAPPINESS!
“If psychologists have proven anything during the last 30 years, they have proven that the actions we take leave a residue inside us. Every time we act, we amplify the underlying idea or tendency behind it. Most people presume the reverse: that our traits and attitudes affect our behavior. While this is true to a certain extent (though less so than commonly supposed), it is also true that our traits and attitudes follow our behavior. We are as likely to act ourselves into a new way of thinking as to think ourselves into a new way of acting.” (David G. Myers, July 01, 1992. Psychology Today).
Research suggests that we have evolved to be kind…that kindness is built into our DNA. Yet in today’s technological world, there is a growing concern that people are becoming more and more selfish. There is research suggesting that technology is creating a more isolated, lonely and self-absorbed generation, prompting the suggestion that many are suffering from a new disorder, and it has been called “iDisorder”. According to Dr. Larry Rosen, An iDisorder “changes your brain´s ability to process information and your ability to relate to the world due to your daily use of media and technology, resulting in signs and symptoms of psychological disorders”, such as narcissism and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. (Larry D Rosen, PhD. Rewired).
On the positive side, global compassion is possible, but we need to start taking action now. According to the Dali Lama, global compassion starts with inner peace. From our own inner peace, we can then reach out to humanity, educating them on the benefits of compassion, as well as forgiveness and gratitude. This will likely not be achievable in his lifetime, but he is hopeful that by the middle of this century, we can create a more peaceful and more compassionate world. It starts with each of us.
In recent years, social scientists have conducted experiments demonstrating that the effect of a single act of kindness can in fact ripple through a social network, setting off chains of generosity that reach far beyond the original act. By living kindly, change is possible. Opportunities to set a stream of kindness in motion are all around us - if we open our eyes to see them.
So, for this assignment, you are asked to do 5 random acts of kindness for others. At least 2 of those acts should be anonymous; that is, do the act of kindness without attracting any attention to yourself or taking any credit whatsoever (maybe we can create a selfless good deed!). The good deeds can be small-like picking up trash from a neighbour’s yard or putting money in an expired parking metre-or bigger, like paying for someone’s meal or donating clothes to a homeless person. For the 2 (or more) anonymous acts, try hard to not get “caught” doing the kind deed. If the act is done for a stranger, the stranger may see the deed being done, but you should “fade away” as quickly and quietly as possible. If the act is done for a
family member or friend, the recipient should not know who performed the deed. If asked about the good deed, you should pretend not to know anything about it and change the subject.
For all of the acts of kindness, you should leave a SMILE card. A SMILE card (www.kindspring.org) encourages the recipient of the act of kindness to “pay it forward” and to pass the smile card on. For instance, take a look at the story below from the Kindspring website:
In Dropbox, along with this assignment, you will find a Word document with the SMILE cards on it. You can print one page, double sided, and have plenty of SMILE cards to give out. It might be interesting to put your initials on the card to “track” it, and see if it crosses your path again sometime! At the end of this document, I have also attached suggestions for the random acts of kindness which I found on the Kindspring website. Feel free to go to their website to find more suggestions and ideas, as well as to read stories about others who have taken on acts of kindness. http://www.kindspring.org/ideas/. **PLEASE also watch the 4 minute video I have put in the Dropbox, which talks about the impact of doing kind deeds, as well as the use of the SMILE cards.**
Once you have completed your 5 random (including at least 2 anonymous) good deeds, you will need to write a self-reflection using the following questions as a guide. You do not have to answer all of the questions, and you are not limited to the questions I have listed here. Follow your mind and your heart, and go where they take you. You can also use the marking rubric as a guide. You will also need to refer to information from the course as you write your
reflection. These assignments replace traditional tests, and in order for me to see what you have learned from the class, you need to demonstrate your understanding in these assignments.
So, make sure you answer at least 2 of the questions that refer to the course material, or come up with your own. You need to include references to the information and research we have discussed in class. You could also refer to other research or information that you find on your own (just make sure you include the references). The information and research should help you to explain how this assignment contributes to your understanding of and experience of happiness. For instance, refer to information about how our behaviour can change our thoughts and feelings (Week 7) or how compassion and altruism can lead to happiness (Week 8). Connect this research and information to your own experiences in doing the assignment.
**NOTE: Your reflection should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words, double-spaced (4-6 pages) typed using Ariel or Verdana, size 12 font. It will also need to be written in PARAGRAPH form. If you use the questions below to guide your assignment response, please DO NOT include the questions in your assignment. Don’t forget to REFERENCE what we have talked about in class and any other information you use in your assignment (MLA, APA or another format is fine). Submit your assignment to the Dropbox under Assignment #3 before the deadline in Week 11.
Questions for Self-Reflection
What was your experience of this activity? How did it make you feel? How will this experience affect you in the future?How likely will you be to get involved in more formal acts of kindness (charities, organizations, etc)?How was the experience of a secret good deed different from a good deed where the recipient was aware of your kindness?How did the SMILE cards affect your good deeds?How likely do you think it is that the good deeds will be “passed on”?Did you have an experience where you knew a good deed was “passed on”, and how did this affect you?What did you learn or realize about happiness or compassion that you didn’t know before?What did you learn about yourself that you didn’t know before? What did you learn about yourself in relation to others? How have you been changed by this activity?
(Questions related to learning from class…)How did this experience contribute to your understanding of happiness?How did the activity connect to the research on compassion, kindness and altruism?How did this experience contribute to your understanding of positive psychology?How is this experience related to the things we have discussed in class?How can you deepen your understanding and practice of compassion, kindness and altruism?
Suggestions for Good Deeds:
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