Summary of the Positive Approach (PY1 - Approaches in Psychology)
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Course
PY1 - Approaches in Psychology
Institution
WJEC
A summary of all the information needed to answer questions on the biological approach for the unit 1 exam of WJEC AS Level Psychology. Includes: - Assumptions (acknowledgement of free will, authenticity of goodness and excellence, focus on the 'good life') - Application to relationships - Therapy ...
Positive
Assumptions
Acknowledgement of free will
o We have free will (in charge of and can change our emotions)
o Happiness doesn’t come from ‘good genes’ or luck
It comes from recognising our strengths and developing these to improve
our lives
o Diener and Seligman (2002) students with stronger ties with family and friends were
happier (negative correlation between level of happiness and depression)
Shows that we are in charge of our happiness and can choose to engage in
activities that make us happy
Authenticity of goodness and excellence
o Both feelings of happiness and anxiety are natural (psychology should give them
equal attention)
The approach tries to focus on the good things in life rather than magnifying
the worst
o The role of the therapist is to facilitate positive wellbeing and fulfilment
The way of thinking should protect from future mental health problems
Focus on the ‘good life’
o One of the primary focuses is on a good life
Seligman (2003) distinguished between 3 lives:
The pleasant life – happiness comes from positive emotions in the
past, present and future
The good life – pursuing activities that positively engage us
The meaningful life – happiness comes from a deep sense of
purpose
Seligman suggests a ‘good life’ is a combination of 3 things:
Positive connections with others
Positive individual traits
Life regulation qualities
Application to Relationships
Entering into and continuing relationships allow the development of signature strengths
o Qualities like generosity, kindness and forgiveness
We are socially programmed to build and continue relationships, positive relationships
will contribute to happiness
The good life comes from us engaging in activities that make us happy relationships that
can do this – they can be with family, friends or romantically
o Many people become immersed in romantic relationships when they first enter
them
Therapy
, Gaining control of thoughts
o Trains us to focus on our present thoughts
Normally we are focused on the past or contemplating the future
o Aims to gain more control of unhelpful thoughts
Negative thoughts can lead to depression and anxiety
Meditation and mindful breathing
o Sitting mediations is the most effective for developing mindfulness – it removes the
individual from daily interactions and allows them to focus on the mind
o Mediation can be guided or alone
o Client should be sitting comfortably with their spine straight and focus on their
breathing
They are encouraged to pay full attention to their body sensations, thoughts
and emotions
Informal practices of mindfulness
o Can be practices during other activities (cleaning, showering and driving)
o Involves paying attention to your surroundings
o Can be easily involved into daily life as a way to break from the normal though
process
Evaluation of Therapy
Effectiveness
o Increasingly being incorporated into other therapies like CBT and psychoanalysis
o Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy is used to prevent relapses in depression
Teasdale et al (2000) randomly allocated treatment either including MBCT or
not – MBCT had no effect on those who had only had 1 or 2 depressive
episodes but reduced the risk of relapse in those who had 3 or more
depressive episodes
o Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction is used in hospitals for those with chronic and
terminal illness
Kabat-Zinn (1990) and Reibel et al (2001) reported decreased levels of
depression and anxiety in participants of an eight-week mindfulness
programme
o In certain situations, group therapy sessions may be more appropriate
Mantzios and Giannou (2014) found group mindfulness is more effective
among participants trying to lose weight
Ethical Issues
o Doesn’t use the past or offer explanations
o Doesn’t focus on changing the thinking process but accepting it
Unlike CBT which can result in the participant feeling guilty
o Seen as essential in maintaining moral and ethical standards (taught in organisations
to improve leadership skills)
o Ruedy and Schweitzer (2010) individuals who were high in mindfulness are less likely
to cheat on a task and are more likely to uphold ethical standards
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