Positive Psychology and Personality Theory - Report Example

Positive Psychology and Personality Theory Over the years, the science of Psychology has investigated a multitude of issues and concerns in the areas of behavior and personality development. The dynamic force behind its study is attributed to committed psychologists truly interested in the mechanics of human relations. The unquenchable thirst for knowledge of these scientists have spurred the exploration of more and more constructs, giving birth to more and more theories. Historically, most psychological researches studied the implications of something negative – abnormalities, maladaptive behavior, depression, learning disabilities, mental illness – to name a few. One pauses to question why this field is so much more interested in foibles rather than strengths? One reason is compassion. Those who are suffering are assumed to need more help that those who are fine. Another reason is that funding agencies prioritize research on the relief and eventual cure of mental illness. Still another reason lies in our own theories about psychological processes. Negative events seem to have more impact than positive events and that information about bad things is processed more thoroughly than information about good. (Gable & Haidt, 2005) The realization that Psychology has had more emphasis on the negative than on more positive topics like the character-building; happiness; implications of a pleasant childhood; well-being; achievement, etc has paved the way for the emergence of Positive Psychology. Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the founders of Positive Psychology put together a special issue of the American Psychologist in 2000 dealing with various aspects of the new area of Psychology, giving impetus to its further development. Over the years, it has gained much attention, research and application in many disciplines. On hindsight, people were realizing that many were already practicing it even before it was given an appropriate name because it addressed a basic need - the human need to feel joy and be in a state of well-being. Motivational speakers and inspirational writers reaped much adulation from their audiences and readers who view them as “dispensers of wisdom”. Andrew Matthews, a cartoonist, writer and a much sought-after speaker wrote a book entitled “Being Happy”, which became a worldwide hit not only because of his hilarious cartoons interspersed in his meaty text, but more because his simple, direct and often humorous approach to dealing with life’s challenges. The success of his first bestseller was followed by more books with the same format. Definition of Positive Psychology Just what is Positive Psychology? “Positive psychology is the study of the conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people, groups, and institutions.” (Gable & Haidt, 2005) It “focuses on cultivating personality strengths and honing an optimistic approach to life rather than on cataloging human frailty and disease.” (Lawson, 2004). It offers a brighter view of reality and encourages and empowers people to take more proactive steps in maximizing their strengths when life throws them problems. “Positive Psychology has three central concerns: positive emotions, positive individual traits and positive institutions” (www.positivepsychology.org website). Positive Emotions In understanding positive emotions, one takes into account an individual’s positive experiences in his whole lifespan. Was he contented with his past? Is he happy now? Is he hopeful for the future? His life experiences and circumstances have a lot to contribute to his current emotional state. Of course, the study of one’s emotions would entail much subjectivity, making it difficult to earn a “scientific” seal of approval. Positive Individual Traits Understanding positive individual traits consists of the study of the strengths and virtues of the person, such as the capacity for love and work, courage, compassion, resilience, creativity, curiosity, integrity, self-knowledge, moderation, self-control, and wisdom. According to Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000), four different personal traits that contribute to positive psychology are subjective well-being, optimism, happiness and self-determination. Subjective well-being is what people think and feel about their lives. It entails much introspection to determine the state of happiness and contentment they are in. The important thing is how the person himself views his own well-being. Optimism has more to do with positive thinking. In the textbook of Pervin, Cervone and John ( _____), optimism is defined as “a coping strategy that features relatively realistic expectations about one’s capabilities”. The word “coping” in this definition implies that a person can “resort” to being optimistic in a trying situation. Optimism calls upon cognitive, emotional and motivational components of a person to survive challenges. Studies show that people high in optimism tend to have better moods, to be more persevering and successful and to experience better physical health. Could it be because they give more emphasis to the positive possibilities more than the negative consequences? Complex psychological issues cannot be understood in isolation from the social and cultural contexts in which they are embedded (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). It follows that a pessimistic culture is more tolerant of, and perhaps, even expect, negative events such as divorce, criminality and mental illness as opposed to an optimistic culture which upholds positive values such as family solidarity, peace and order and good mental health. It is common knowledge that every person seeks happiness in life. Research on this topic validates traditionalists’ views that the more ethereal values such as religious faith and close personal relationships are better sources of happiness than more worldly values such as economic growth and income (Myers, 2000). The pursuit of true happiness is one major motivation of the Positive Psychology movement. “Self-determination theory investigates three related human needs: the need for competence, the need for belongingness, and the need for autonomy. When these needs are satisfied, Ryan and Deci (2000) claim personal well-being and social development are optimized. Persons in this condition are intrinsically motivated, able to fulfill their potentialities, and able to seek out progressively greater challenges.” (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Positive Institutions Positive Psychology is also concerned with building positive institutions. “Understanding positive institutions entails the study of the strengths that foster better communities, such as justice, responsibility, civility, parenting, nurturance, work ethic, leadership, teamwork, purpose and tolerance”. Thus, Positive Psychology is aimed to “support families and schools that allow children to flourish; workplaces that foster satisfaction and high productivity; communities that encourage civic engagement and therapists who identify and nurture their patients’ strengths.” Its goals include the teaching of Positive Psychology in formal courses as well as dissemination of Positive Psychology interventions in organizations and communities. (www.positivepsychology.org website). Such a tall order for such a young science! However, the potential of its ambitious goals are evident. Its noble goal of achieving what most people know as an idealistic status of living has been the common desire of all men from time immemorial. The introduction of negative factors that greatly upset the momentum towards a more positive and stable life has consistently derailed us from our journey to decency. Progress of Positive Psychology Much has happened since the publication of the special issue of the American Psychologist on Positive Psychology six years ago. “Many edited volumes and handbooks have been published. Dozens of conferences have brought researchers together from all over the world. Numerous grants have facilitated the research of young investigators and created collaborations among researchers from many countries. Courses in positive psychology are springing up in scores of universities and high schools.” (Gable & Haidt, 2005) These courses expose students to the idea that it makes sense to study what is right about people in addition to what is wrong. “Widespread dissemination of positive psychology research means that the general psychological community is beginning to understand that respectable science can be conducted on the positive side of life.” (Seligman, Steen, Park & Peterson, 2005). Websites are being created in its honor and strong media interest has yielded numerous newspaper and magazine articles all over the world. Funders of research in this field have been generous in giving substantial grants to support the scientific research and the dissemination of the findings. The psychological interventions of Positive Psychology have made a great impact in therapy. Selingman, Steen, Park and Peterson (2005) claim that the happiness exercises they have devised reduce depressive symptoms lastingly. These exercises teach anxious people to relax, depressed people to argue against depressing thoughts, people with conflict to gain insight into the sources of conflict and people with obsessive-compulsive disorders to find out that disasters do not ensue if they do not perform their rituals. It supplements the well-known psychotherapeutic strategies of focusing on troubles and weaknesses, as it goes beyond just talking about conflicts by empowering the patient to overcome them by confronting them. The Path to Happiness “Seligman teaches that knowing one’s strengths makes it easier to achieve more meaningful forms of happiness” (Lawson, 2004). If one is to desire a good life, then he needs to harness his strengths through deep engagement in work, family life or other activities. Higher level of happiness calls for virtues such as altruism, self-sacrifice and devotion to a cause greater than oneself. These strengths are what make a meaningful life. Being aware of one’s strengths makes him aware of the things he is capable of doing well. For instance, if one feels trapped in a miserable job, he needs to assess if the work he is doing is in the area of his strengths. If not, then he is wise to find another job which makes use better use of his strengths. Positive Psychology definitely helps in making one feel generally happier. Looking at the bright side of things when one feels under the weather somewhat gives a psychological lift. At the same time, being in the company of an optimist, who consistently sees the positive in people and circumstances is much better than suffering in the company of a pessimist who keeps predicting the worst is to come. Criticisms and Defenses for Positive Psychology Pioneers and supporters of the science of Positive Psychology have been thought of as being extremely idealistic in their views. Their belief in the intrinsic goodness of people and attainment of a happy life in a world of dread and disease has resulted in accusations that they fail to recognize the very real negative sides of life. However, it is to be reiterated that the goals of Positive Psychology is not to erase or supplant work on pathology, distress, and dysfunction but to build up human resilience, strength and growth to integrate and complement the existing knowledge base. (Lawson, 2004). Some psychology professors maintain their criticism of Positive Psychology, though. Barbara Held calls the movement the “tyranny of the positive attitude”, and keeps her view that “If Psychology is going to be whole, we need to study the good and bad together” (Lawson, 2004). Julie Norem, author of The Positive Power of Negative Thinking, says that in her extensive research, she found out that pessimists are generally as successful in life as optimists, although their strategies are very different. According to her, defensive pessimists mentally brace for a variety of imagined worst-case scenarios as a natural coping strategy. To her, this means that people just fall into their natural tendencies in dealing with stressful moments, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” in coping mechanisms. Integration of Positive Psychology with Development of Personality Traits and Theory Textbook definition of personality is “characteristics of the person that account for consistent patterns of experience and action” Traits is defined as “enduring psychological characteristic of an individual or type of psychological construct that refers to such characteristics”.(Pervin, Cervone, John, ____). Positive Psychological principles may be linked to these definitions by evaluating the strong traits prevalent in a person that results from his positive life experiences. It was discussed earlier that an individual’s personal history accounts for much of his current state of emotions as well as the formation of character traits. Knowing that Positive Psychology attaches importance to the traits of subjective well-being, optimism, happiness and self-determination, one can first focus on its attainment and development in one’s own personality. Having had negative life experiences is no impediment to eventually developing such personality traits. We are no longer prisoners of our past. One just needs to learn to fight off negative emotions or thoughts that creep up when faced with conflict. Being determined in focusing on the positive situations and possibilities may be difficult at first, but with consistent practice, may pay off with the rewards of happiness and well-being. Another principle of Positive Psychology that may be integrated in the development of personality traits is the knowledge of one’s strengths. Authenticity is one prerequisite to assessing one’s strengths and weaknesses. One should be humble enough to admit his limitations in certain abilities and traits and should embrace such weaknesses. His strengths should be his gauge in making personal life choices such as career options, searching for a life partner or the mere maintenance of a certain lifestyle. It may also guide him to behave in a particular manner. For instance, if one has assessed that his strong personality traits are creativity, persistence and hope, he may be able to call on these strengths in times of adversity, such as loss of a job or being in a state of poverty. He may come up with a great idea (such as a unique service or product), persist in perfecting it, and when people begin to be interested, let the creative product or service speak for itself and not lose hope that it will eventually bring him success and lift him out of his poverty.. Positive Psychology may very well change how a person behaves and views life. Anyone in his right mind wants to possess positive personality traits and dispel negative ones. This new science provides concrete strategies in bringing such a desire to fruition. “No longer do the dominant theories view the individual as a passive vessel responding to stimuli, rather, individuals are now seen as decision makers, with choices, preferences and the possibility of becoming masterful, efficacious, or in malignant circumstances, helpless and hopeless” (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Considering its benevolent effects, Positive Psychology will become prevalent in the prevention and therapy of socio-emotional dysfunctions. As such, techniques that build positive traits will become commonplace. If more and more people get to apply it in their lives, then there is a brighter hope for a better tomorrow for our children and the future generations. References Gable, S. & Haidt, J., (2005) What (and why) is positive psychology?, Review of General Psychology, 9: 2, 103-110 Hulbert, A., (2003) Authentic happiness: using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. The Wilson Quarterly. 27: 1. Lawson, W. (2004) The glee club: positive psychologists want to teach you to be happier. can they succeed?. Psychology Today. 37.: 1. Matthews, A. (1990), Being Happy Media Masters Myers, D. G. (2000). The funds, friends, and faith of happy people. American Psychologist, 55, 56–67. Pajares, F. (2001) Toward a positive psychology of academic motivation. The Journal of Educational Research. 95:. 1 Pervin, Cervone & John (2005) Personality: Theory & Research, 9th Edition Wiley Positive Psychology Center, Retrieved on December 10, 2006 from www.positivepsychology.org Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68-78. Seligman, M. & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000) Positive psychology, an introduction, American Psychologist, 55 Seligman, M., Steen, T., Park, N. & Peterson, C., (2000) Positive psychology progress: empirical validation of interventions, American Psychologist, 55 Read More