Interdisciplinary Psychology:

The Main Points of the Book: “What is happiness?” This book takes and in-depth look at what this question actually means. Happiness is actually an ambiguous word. The meaning of happiness for some may mean have an entirely different meaning for others.  An Introduction to Positive Psychology, reviews research and studies to try to answer this question, “What is happiness?”

When someone is asked about their happiness, they are being asked to report on their emotional state and how they feel about themselves and their current situation. When someone is asked about their satisfaction with life, the question is a more global judgment about the acceptability of their life. p.43

Specific Examples from the book that reflect these main points and the strength of support for the points made:

In chapter 3 researchers found a set or six core predictors of well-being and happiness: positive self-esteem, a sense of perceived control, optimism, a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and extroverted personality, and positive interpersonal relationships. p. 48

Chapter 4 discusses the importance of doing things that a person enjoys. Taking time to enjoy the simple things in life and creating memories. The book describes this as flow. p. 67-80 I also liked the part about being mindful. It is important that we are mindful and don’t get stuck in the rut so to speak. Being open to change and new ideas is what life is all about. Ellen Langer (1989) said that being mindful is not about moving through life on autopilot but with actively participating in the ongoing experiences of life with openness and creativity. Many people go through life waiting for something to happen, and forget about noticing their own life.

Chapter 5 discusses love as being one of the most significant ways people pursue happiness. Robert and Jeanette Lauer studied over 300 hundred couples that had been together for at least 15 years and this is what they said about having successful and happy relationships: 1. that they are best friends 2. They like each other as persons 3. Marriage is a commitment 4. They agree on aims and goals 5. Each has grown over the years 6. They each want the relationship to succeed 7. That their relationship is sacred. p. 100

In chapter 7, one particular statement that stood out to me was, --to see art as a pathway to personal growth. p. 137 I can define this statement by saying that my education at Evergreen thus far has allowed me to personally grow. Also, the book touches on genius in chapter 7. I am not sure where this fits into the happiness category, but it does help me to understand my drive. The book states that early adversity in ones life can be a stimulus to creativity and achievement. Dean Simonton (1999), notes that a higher than expected percentage of very creative or accomplished people experience a loss of parental figure early in life. p. 149

Chapter 8 discusses positive mental health. The chapter touched on the resilience of children who do exceptionally well despite their adversities they experienced in their childhood. N. Garmezy, A. Masten, and A. Tellegen (1984) describe one child who came from a troubled home, who did exceptionally well in school and sports in spite of his situation. P. 152 The chapter also discusses character strengths and virtues and the importance of practicing them to help “enables a person to think and act so as to benefit both themselves and society.” Seligman (2000)

In chapter 9 the one thing that caught my attention was forgiveness. “Without the ability to forgive, anger resentment, and hurt can consume lives and create ever-increasing cycles of hostility and desire for revenge. Michael McCullough (2000) says that forgiveness allows us to move beyond a desire for revenge and to reinstitute social ties.”

Spirituality and religion was discussed in chapter 10. I enjoy reading about Buddhism and one of the things I found interesting was that during the enlightment experience a person’s personality is forever altered. The development of the eight qualities of Buddhism will permanently alter a person’s negative personality traits. This leads to completely eliminating all negative and unhealthy factors. The end result a much happier life. Page 212-213 talks in depth about Buddhism and the healthy and unhealthy wisdom and compassion factors.

Chapter 11’s discussion about personal satisfaction in and at the workplace was very important to me. It gave me some insight on things that I should strive for and had me reflect on my current personal situation.

Positive psychology has only been studied for the past 10 years and has already made many milestones.

After having taken Developmental Psychology last quarter, reading positive psychology has been a breath of fresh air. The ways to find happiness and fulfillment in one’s life (mental wellness) instead of (mental illness) is very encouraging. Seligman (2002).I like the fact that positive psychology tries to look at the both the positive and the negative and have an optimistic approach to it. I look forward to using this approach in my future working with children in the criminal system.