Interdisciplinary Psychology:

From Reading An Introduction to Positive Psychology Compton (2005) I learned a basic understanding of positive psychology. In chapter one about the history of Positive psychology. That the term Positive psychology was first used by Martin E. P. Seligman in 1998, at the time President of the American Psychological Association “to create a new direction and new orientation for psychology”. As a reminder of psychology’s mission: to build human strength and nurture genius. Chapter one also defined it as “positive psychology studies what people do right how they manage to do it”. In defining the focus of Positive psychology (Seligman and Csikzentmihalyi, 2000) listed the following three, positive subjective states, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. The book offers this partial list studied in Positive psychology: “altruism and empathy, building enriching communities, creativity, forgiveness and compassion, the role of positive emotions in job satisfaction, the enhancement of immune system functioning, lifespan models of positive personality development, styles of psychotherapy that emphasize accomplishments and positive traits, savoring each fleeting moment of life, strengthening the virtues as way to increase authentic happiness, and the psychological benefits of Zen meditation

Chapter two looked at the role that positive emotions influence us. Some of the topics discussed in this chapter: emotional intelligence, genetic influences on positive emotions, happiness set point, effects of moods, motivation. Of particular interest to me was the discussion on pg.28 about emotional intelligence and how to develop it. This model presented by Mayer, Caruso, Salovey (2000) as “the necessary skills for the development of emotional intelligence as a hierarchy of increasingly complex abilities. In a person with high emotion intelligence, the (1) ability to perceive and express emotions leads to (2) skills at assimilating emotions into cognitive representations of emotion and cognitive processing of feelings, which leads to (3) deeper understanding of the complexities of emotion as they related to the social world, which leads to (4)being able to regulate emotions more effectively. Mayer, Caruso, Salovey (2000) also found that emotional intelligence scores increased with age and with a person’s experience dealing with emotions, just as one would expect”. In the first model offered by Salovey and Mayer (1990) “They proposed that five characteristics would define the idea. (1) knowing one’s emotions or the ability to recognize an emotion as it happens. (2) the ability handle interpersonal relationships well. (3) the ability to use emotions to motivate oneself. (4) the ability to recognize emotions in others, or the skill of reading what other people are feeling and being empathetic. (5) a good ability to manage one’s emotions”. I believe these to be highly valuable skills worth developing. In his summary on pg. 39 Compton states: “Positive emotions may help us adapt by broadening our response options and building psychological and social resources for the future”. Goals well worth pursuing.

Chapter three the first in part two of the book looked at the research on subjective well being. Three factors that researchers look a when measuring subjective well being are scores on: happiness, satisfaction with life, and low neuroticism. On pg.48 Compton states, “The six core variables that best predict happiness and satisfaction with life-at least in Western industrialized cultures (Argyle,1987; Myers, 1992; Diener et al., 1999 are 1. Positive self-esteem 2. Sense of perceived control 3. Extroversion 4. Optimism 5. Positive social relationships 6. A sense of meaning and purpose.” Compton continues “ In addition to these variables, remember that the third component of subjective well being is low self-reported neuroticism. Therefore, the resolution of inner conflicts should be considered another predictor as well”. This chapter also looked at the influences of emotions, cognition, gender, social comparisons, income, age, race, and education & climate have on well being . In his chapter summary pg.65 Compton asks is subjective well-being “a result of summing a number of pleasurable moments together or the result of a general positive orientation to life events.” His answer; “While both of these can contribute to subjective well-being, a general positive orientation seems to be the most powerful predictor’.

Chapter four looked at influences of: leisure, flow, and life satisfaction. The importance of leisure is exemplified on pg. 68. “In a study of British citizens, the highest ranked reasons for engaging in leisure were that leisure (1) fulfilled needs for autonomy, (2) allowed the enjoyment of family life, (3) provided for relaxation, and (4) offered escape from routine (see Argyle, 1987). The eight parameters of flow are listed and defined on pages 71,72: 1.The merging of action and awareness, 2.Complete concentration an the task at hand, 3, Lack of worry about losing control that, paradoxically, results in a sense of control, 4. A loss of self-consciousness, 5. Time no longer seems to pass in ordinary ways, 6. auto telic nature of the experience, 7. Flow accompanies a challenging activity that requires skill, 8. The activity has clear goals and immediate feedback.

The importance of flow my be best expressed on pg.75. “The ability to control consciousness and increase the probability of optimal experiencing also increases the sense of mastery, a sense of participation in life, and the ability t determine the content of life an a moment-by-moment basis. In addition, the ability to control the contents of consciousness can give us the ability to be independent of the social environment, so that external circumstance need not determine our emotional or intellectual states.” An invaluable skill indeed. There is a description of how to enhance or achieve flow on pg.80. This chapter is actually express in the last paragraph on pg.84 “at least two pathways lead to greater well-being. One path involves self-enhancement processes. A great deal of the subjective well-being literature speaks to that path. The other path focuses more on temporarily forgetting awareness of self and appreciating the moment. The experiences of flow, mindfulness, and savoring may describe this path”.

Chapter five speaks to love and well-being. In this chapter intimate relationships their value and how to enhance them was discussed. There has been some good research on this topic. The list of “qualities people valued in their relationships; trust sincerity, mutual understanding, compatibility, fulfillment, sexuality, intimacy, and mutual needs” (pg.92). Also surveys found that people value: confidence, integrity, warmth, kindness, intelligence, dependability, emotional stability, a good sense of humor, loyalty, and being

affectionate.(Pg.93).

Chapter six the last chapter of part two explored the relationship between mind and body. Looking at the research being done in health psychology and psychoneuroimmunology. The concept of how our physical, emotional, psychology, and spiritual well-being interact to make up our complete well-being.

In part three chapters 7,8,9,& 10 traits are considered. Chapter seven looks at how the pursuit of excellence, aesthetics, and creativity can benefit our well-being. Compton asks: what is excellence?(pg131) How do we develop it?(pg132) How does our aesthetic sense influence our well-being?(136) he

points out that beauty can take many forms and is not limited to the arts. He shows examples of music being used to boost the immune systems and help people recover faster after surgery(pg 139).

In examining creativity chapter seven Compton acknowledges how difficult it can be to define. “Creativity is one of those qualities that is enormously difficult to pin down. One criterion that it seems to be a pr0ocess that produces novel responses tat contribute to the solution of problems (Simonton, 2000)”. and “Part of the problem is that there is a very wide range of behaviors that fall under the label of creativity”. (pg.141). He goes on to describe the creative person and the creative process. In his description of the creative person lists a number traits that studies show they have in common: openness to experience, highly flexible in their thinking, have tolerance for ambiguity, higher tolerance for frustration, independent, willing to restructure problems, and they are intrinsically motivated. He describe the four stages of the creative process proposed by Joseph Wallas (1926) stage one preparation, stage two incubation, stage three illumination, and stage four verification.

On the subject of positive mental health or thriving and flourishing chapter eight. Compton proposes on (pg.151) “ adult development is a continuous process of anticipating the future, appraising and reappraising goals, adjusting to current realities, and regulating expectations so as to maintain a sense of well-being in the face of changing circumstances”. It appears from the studies cited in the book that ones “resilience” plays a major role in how we respond to difficult

environments. Resilience is defined as a “a pattern of positive adaptation in the face of significant adversity” (Ann Masten and R.-G. Reed, 2002). Studies have shown that children that over come adverse childhoods have several things in common. They are able to detach from negative environments and seek positive ones. They communicate well and have good social skills. They are able to find creative outlets. They have an optimistic outlook or a belief that things will work out. This chapter also asks what are the necessary: skills, abilities, and traits to “flourish and thrive” as we age. One component is generativity (our responsibility to future generations). Recent studies done by Dan McAdams and his colleagues have found “that higher levels generativity are associated with greater

well-being” (e.g., Ackerman, Zuroff, & Moskowitz,2000). Other contributing factors: selective optimization with compensation, socio-emotional, selectivity. For examples of positive mental health Carl Rogers (fully functioning person) and Abraham Maslow (self- actualization) models are examined. At the end of this chapter we look at strengths and virtues. The effects strengths and virtues are listed as: “1. They contribute to fulfillment, 2. They are valued in their own right, 3. They are celebrated when present and mourned if lost, 4. They are taught by parents and social institutions, 5. There are parables and morality tales in the society that teach them, 6. People hold and express them in different degrees, 7. They are malleable or learnable, and 8. They prompt joyful responses from others when expressed (p.170-171). At the end of chapter eight the idea authentic happiness as proposed by Martin E. P. Seligman in his book Authentic Happiness (2002). “For Seligman, the good life is using one’s signature strengths to obtain gratifications in the important areas of one’s life. The meaningful life is using signature strengths in the service of something larger and more significant than the individual self. The full life is feeling and savoring positive feelings about the past, present, and future to obtain abundant gratifications. These come from exercising strengths and using strengths to foster meaning by placing efforts into the service of something larger and more significant”. in a collaboration with the popular press Seligmans used the following six principles to help “the happiest man” achieve even more fulfillment. 1) Everyone benefits. Fostering an “everybody wins “ strategy. 2) Savoring success. Both past and present. 3) Social intelligence. Knowing which situation and or person to use your strengths. 4) Opening doors. Taking life situations as opportunities. 5) Strengths in couples. Merging the strengths of both people in a relationship. 6.Finding meaning. To leave a legacy.

In chapter nine Compton first point out that in psychotherapy today the lack of “no standard method for assessing positive psychological functioning”. he then discusses attempts that have been made since the 1950’s to categorize positive mental health. This is followed by a discussion of the development of “positive psychotherapy” and “counseling psychology” started as early as the 1940’s. Counseling Psychology is described as “helping normal people lead lives that are more fulfilling”. He discusses a number of therapies and their focus including ones being used with children.

Chapter ten focuses on the relationship that spirituality and religion plays in our well being. Defining spirituality as “the human tendency to search for meaning in life through self transcendence or the need to relate to something greater than the individual self”. and religion as “a spiritual search that is connected to formal religious institutions”. Although there are many examples of the beneficial effects of religion. Six reasons given by Pargament, Smith, Koenig and Perez 1998; Emmons,1999 1) Religiosity provides for social support. 2) Religiosity helps support healthy lifestyles. 3) Religiosity helps promote personality integration. 4) Religiosity may increase generativity. 5) Religiosity provides unique coping strategies. 6) Religiosity provides a sense of meaning and purpose. Compton later cites the eight traits that Stark and Washburn suggest might be found in a person of high spiritual realization Eastern or Western disciplines. These traits are listed as: 1) An adventuresome sense of life, 2) a sense of tranquility, 3) A frequent experience of bliss, 4) Nonattachment or the ability to let of barriers and limitations, 5) the ability to bring presence and absorption to all everyday experiences, 6) Openness to experiences, 7) High resilience, 8) A sense of spontaneity. He later points out that it is difficult to study this topic from a scientific point in that “the basic assumptions, beliefs, and principles of various religious perspectives are simply not open to scientific testing“. he then states that “the impact of spiritual and religious beliefs on well-being can be studied from a scientific point of view”.

Chapter eleven explores ways to use the concepts positive psychology to enhance work, community, culture. There is little doubt that these three areas have a major influence on our well-being. Citing Peter Warr (1999) he list ten elements of the work environment as factors for job satisfaction and well-being: 1) Opportunity for personal control, 2)Opportunity for skill use, 3)Reasonable externally generated goals, 4) Variety, 5) Environmental clarity, 6) Availability of money, 7) Physical security, 8) Supportive supervision, 9) Opportunity for interpersonal contact, 10) Valued social position. As to social well being social acceptance, social contribution, social coherence, and social integration (Keys, 1998) are cited as the five dimensions of social well-being. Building on these dimensions Compton discusses how we can use the principals of positive psychology to build better communities. The relationship that we have to our culture and its effect on our since of well-being is explored in the final part of chapter eleven. There is a distinctive difference between individualistic and collectivist cultures. This difference does have impact on our since of well-being.

Chapter twelve looks at the future of positive psychology. As interest in positive psychology continues to grow new applications are being developed. More research is being done and new directions are being explored all the time. “Findings are beginning to show that by focusing on human strengths and virtues it is possible to increase success in many areas of life such as education, job satisfaction, romantic relationships, health, and general well-being”. p249.

Reading this book I have gain a basic understanding of positive psychology. In my reading I have seen that there is a lot of current research being done in positive psychology. I am very interested in exploring it application in relationship to chemical dependency.