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Introduction to Positive Psychology - 1/26/08
Positive Psychology Patricia Sims
Seminar Pass 02/02/08
“An Introduction to Positive Psychology”
by William C. Compton
The main points of this book seem to be an attempt to answer these questions: What is happiness? Where has it been and where is it going in the field of psychology? Does “happiness” belong in the field of psychology?
Happiness is an elusive concept. When a person says they want to be happy, what do they actually hope to achieve? Gordon Allport said that “The state of happiness is not itself a motivating force but a by-product of otherwise motivated activity. Happiness is far too incidental and contingent a thing to be considered a goal in itself.” (p 242) I see happiness as part of the process. For example; one goal of knitting is to make a sweater, but part of the process involved includes what Csiksentmihalyi termed “flow” – “the state in which action follows action according to an internal logic which seems to need no conscious intervention on our part”. (p 70) Happiness, it seems, is like so many other aspects of life: It’s not the destination that’s most important, it’s the journey.
Prior to World War II, the journey to mental health was pretty clear-cut: “cure mental illness, make life more fulfilling, and nurture talent”. The last two of the trio really took a backseat to the “curing mental illness”. Psychology was (and for the most part still is) focused on pathology; what is wrong with a person. As mentioned on page 175 of Introduction to Positive Psychology, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Health is based on the same “disease model” used in medicine. This focus on mental deviations seems to be creating victims, along with a “victim mentality” and a DSM that continues to fill with more and more disorders.
Taking this class and reading about some of the current trends in psychology is a much needed breath of fresh air for me. Looking at what’s “right” with a person is a welcome change in perspective; learning that – “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” makes me feel better (happier) already. Happiness, not only belongs in the field of psychology, but it is needed, desperately.It’s difficult to grasp the fact that there is currently “no standard method for assessing positive psychological functioning”. (p 175) I see some steps in the right directions from Seligman and his work with “signature strengths”. The chart on page 181 which classifies strengths and virtues looks like a good start to developing a framework of positive characteristics. Another step would be training mental health professionals.
“One of the tasks of good therapist should be to amplify client strengths as well as to help decrease debilitating negative emotions.” (p 183) What if, as therapists, we could instill “hope” instead of prescribe “hope”?
Don't worry. Be happy.
Well done, Ms. Simm's. I agree with you on the 'disease model', the 'victim mentality' that was brought out in the publication. It is the LABEL that Dr. Hurst has spoken of before. I don't think I have ever heard so many of my friends comment about what's wrong with them. We are used to them complaining about their physical health, but more and more I hear comments regarding their mental health and again, as Dr. Hurst has pointed out, "what color pill they take". Also, "Oh, you shouldn't be on Zoloft, you should try.... That's what my doctor gave me. You see, I have ......... and I can't work and I can't....." The disease model. Wouldn't it be nice to hear them say, "Well, Ms. Lahren, your positive strengths are justice and love. Have you thought about pursuing a career in the court system working with the ........ by supporting foster children?"
I love your comment about instilling hope. Can we do that? As future life coaches? :) We can.
Hi Patricia,
You know...I have to agree happiness is an elusive thought! Everybody's definition of what happiness is, is entirely different. I think that it is a very ambigious word. Just like how do you define good and evil? What makes you happy, may not make another person happy.
Cleaning my house, staying home doing homework, and paying the bills this past weekend made me very happy. Some of the simplist things in life. I have a roof over my head, a job to pay the bills, food in the cupboards, a place to lie my head at night. That is what ultimately makes me happy. I don't live beyond my means...and just barely get by...but what makes me happy is that I can...and that I am striving to accomplish more in my career. Those are my goals and that makes me happy.
One other point that I like that you made..."Happiness, not only belongs in the field of psychology, but it is needed, desperately..." I second that! Way to go!
Jill