Positive Psychology – Day 9

Goals: The students will1. Define positive psychology.2. Understand the concept of positive

psychology.3. Understand the multiple features of

courage.

What is positive psychology?◦ “Psychology is not just the study of weakness and

damage; it is also the study of strength and virtue. Treatment is not just fixing what is broken; it is nurturing what is best within us.” Martin E.P. Seligman

◦ What does this mean?

Positive Psychology

Definition – in the most general terms, positive psychology is concerned with the use of psychological theory, research, and intervention techniques to understand the positive, adaptive, creative, and emotionally fulfilling aspects of human behavior.

What does this mean when we break it down?

Positive Psychology

In simple terms:◦ It is nothing more than the scientific study of ordinary

human strengths and weaknesses.◦ It asks, “What is the nature of the efficiently

functioning human being, successfully applying evolved adaptations and learned skills.”

◦ It is an attempt to urge psychologists to adopt a more open and appreciative perspective regarding human potentials, motives, and capabilities..

◦ Finally, it is the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels that include the biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions of life.

Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology - Courage

Your answers to this exercise will be traded with another student who may read it out loud to the class: Be sure you write about something you feel comfortable sharing. DO NOT put your name on the paper.

We will divide into two groups. Students in group 1 write self at the top of your paper. Group 2 write other at the top of your paper.

Courage – Write about it . . .

Group 1 – Describe a time you acted courageously. Why was it courageous? What were you thinking and feeling? Describe what led up to your action, the action itself, and the outcome of your action.

Group 2 – Describe a time you observed (either directly or indirectly) someone else acting courageously. What do you think the person was thinking and feeling? Describe what you think led up to the action, the action itself, and the outcome of the action.

You have 10 minutes to write. Be as complete as possible.

Prompts:

Exchange writings, then exchange again. There are three main types of courage:

◦ Physically courageous acts: preventing injury to another or helping an injured person.

◦ Psychologically courageous acts: stepping outside your comfort zone to try something new and helping out in a medical crisis that was not caused by an accident.

◦ Morally courageous acts: standing up to others for what it right and taking responsibility for a negative situation.

Identify the type of act in the writing you have.

Courage

Instructor writes two columns on the board: “self” and “other”

Before any discussion, read the narratives and mark any places where the writer showed fear and risk.◦ What are some examples of fear and risk in your

writings? Was your example for “self” or “other?”◦ Was more fear expressed in the “self” examples

than in the “other” examples? Why or why not?

Courage

This exercise was to get you to think about courage in your own lives.

After the discussion, do you think there is one type of courage that is easier: physical, moral, or psychological? Why?

Courage - Conclusion

Gratitude has been shown to be one of the strongest indicators of emotional well-being and studies show that gratitude enhances happiness.

Next class you will be asked to recall and write about an unpleasant open memory. (An open memory is something that you have not resolved in your mind or heart yet.)◦ We will try to write about a painful memory in a

manner that helps you bring closure and decrease the unpleasant emotional impact of the memory.

Self-Reflection – Gratitude