Submitted by Jacob H on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 10:18pm.
John,
I found your paper on Introduction to Positive Psychology to flow, giving the reader a feeling of direction, or instructions for pursuing happiness.
With the history of Psychology, I don’t find it surprising that the early methods of psychology didn’t have lasting, positive effects for people.With such a pessimistic outlook, psychologists probably found it easier to focus on what was wrong with a person.
The mental picture you painted of humans being thought of as cattle is an effective way to dissuade a person to passively float through life.The effects of pleasure wear off and require more stimuli to reach the same level of pleasure. Seeking happiness requires longer lasting goals and effort, possibly achieving “flow”.
One of the amazing things about people is the adaptive skill everyone possesses. I agree with your last statement that as we gain the skills necessary, we achieve “a life that is more positive and fulfilling”.
John,
I found your paper on Introduction to Positive Psychology to flow, giving the reader a feeling of direction, or instructions for pursuing happiness.
With the history of Psychology, I don’t find it surprising that the early methods of psychology didn’t have lasting, positive effects for people. With such a pessimistic outlook, psychologists probably found it easier to focus on what was wrong with a person.
The mental picture you painted of humans being thought of as cattle is an effective way to dissuade a person to passively float through life. The effects of pleasure wear off and require more stimuli to reach the same level of pleasure. Seeking happiness requires longer lasting goals and effort, possibly achieving “flow”.
One of the amazing things about people is the adaptive skill everyone possesses. I agree with your last statement that as we gain the skills necessary, we achieve “a life that is more positive and fulfilling”.