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Positive approach (Free will (This approach contrasts the other…
Positive approach
Free will
This approach contrasts the other determinist approaches eg- biological, psychodynamic and behaviourist.
We are in charge of our own happiness and according to Seligman, happiness isn't down to good genes or luck.
Diener and Seligman- A study looking at students relationships with family and friends and how happy they are. The study showed that the more time students invested into relationships, the happier they were and there was a negative correlation between happiness and depression.
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Relationship formation
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The good life
The good life involves happy relationships with others and can explain relationship formation. We can achieve the good life by doing activities that engage us, such as romantic and social relationships.
As humans we seek friendship and the rewards from friendship is that they act as a buffer during difficult times, such as with feelings of anxiety.
The 'Good Life'
There are 3 levels of happiness: 1. The pleasant life 2. The good life 3. The meaningful life. The pleasant life is only a starting point and Seligman encourages people to seek a meaningful life.
The Pleasant Life is realised when we appreciate such basic pleasures as companionship. The Good Life, which is achieved through discovering our signature strengths, to enhance our lives. The Meaningful Life, in which we find a deep sense of fulfilment by employing our unique strengths for a purpose greater than ourselves.
There are 3 combinations which Seligman suggests: 1. Positive connections 2. Positive individual traits 3. Life regulating qualities.
For example, one study observed nuns who were, for the most part, leading virtually identical lifestyles. It seemed that the nuns who expressed positive emotions more frequently in their daily journals also happened to outlive many of the nuns who clearly did not.