Positive Psychology and Resiliency - Coursework Example

Positive Psychology and Resiliency Insert Insert Grade Insert Positive Psychology and Resiliency Introduction The study of human beings and the various ways in which humans have been able to cope with life’s challenges is a very important area. Most people would admit that it is sometimes amazing when we focus on how our friends, relatives or family members have been able to overcome some challenges to become the people they are today. Positive psychology and resiliency therefore play an important role in helping to identifying some of these issues. Positive psychology refers to the scientific study of the nature of effectively functioning of human beings. The main aim of positive psychology is to find out and sustain the various factors that permit individuals, communities, and societies to succeed in their day-to-day lives. On the other hand, resilience, or otherwise, the ability to overcome challenges has been identified as the most favorable trait held by human beings. Resiliency is therefore the attainment of that ability to succeed through overcoming life’s challenges. This paper is aimed at comparing and contrasting the components of both positive psychology and resiliency. This will be looked into in terms of the various issues, situations and functions they perform to individuals and in the society in general. Contrasts Even though many people tend to associate the two, positive psychology and resilience may have different components as discussed in this section. The first area of difference is the area of personality that is exhibited or promoted by the two features as is discussed below. Personality traits The two features have been associated with different personality traits. On one hand, personality traits that promote resilience include hope for the best, sense of adventure, courage, self-understanding, humor, the ability and will to work hard and the ability for endurance and emotional stability. On the other hand, positive psychology is associated with the attainment of personality traits such as wisdom, creativity and imaginative among others. Whereas positive psychology looks for the enablers to a happy life, resilience focuses on the inward strengths that will lead to the attainment of a prosperous life (Lemay & Ghazal, 2001). However, many analysts have cited this as one of the great concurrence of these two features as shall be discussed elsewhere in this paper. Sense of secure base vs. positive emotion Positive psychology focuses on one component of achieving happiness that is through positive emotion. Such emotions may include feelings of pride, satisfaction, fulfillment and achievement among others that motivate individuals. Furthermore, positive psychology not only focuses on this at individual level but also during group activities so that there is a constant positive emotion. On the other hand, resiliency focuses on attachment to others through relationships that provide a sense of security rather than attaining positive emotions on our own. This is through attachment to trusted, supportive and reliable people who have the will to do so. Through such relationships, individuals are able to gain a security or a place of solace that is good for emotional stability. Consequently, the stress is on the little but important things that people do like that family gathering, eating together during meals and other forums that bring people together. It is therefore evident that whereas resiliency will go for a more involving approach in tackling emotions, positive psychology majors on the individual’s and group’s feelings that are able to influence their emotions. In this case, therefore, the difference can be said to be in the approach of attaining the same goal of a more stable life. It is however important to note that the approaches may lead to either long term or short term fulfillment of the said goal of attaining emotional stability. Self Worth and Self-Esteem vs. Engagement Self esteem and self worth is dependent on relationships that are of high value to an individual and the level of achievement in tackling issues or tasks associated with certain activities an individual may be engaged in. Moreover, self-esteem may be influenced by comparisons. For instance, one might try to compare his or her situation with someone they may consider to be of same fate or even level say in a profession. Resiliency therefore focuses on the way individuals are able to attain self esteem and self worth through overcoming the said challenges of comparison and valuing one’s self. On the other hand, engagement involves the act of participation in activities that will lead to the achievement of happiness. Positive psychology encourages involvement so that individuals attain a sense of responsibility. The main aim is to be socially engaged in activities or relationships that may in turn lead to passage of time and therefore help an individual to avoid stress factors that come with life’s experiences. The two features therefore differ in the way this is approached as seen in other cases. Whereas resiliency encourages social groupings for the boosting of esteem and self worth, positive psychology insists on attaining constant happiness through stable engagement with social activities that are a past time and therefore good for maintaining a state of happiness. Here, happiness is the main driver and all possibilities of obtaining it are fully employed. Self esteem as targeted by resiliency, on the other hand, is a subject of external and internal comparisons that make individuals different from the others. Recognition of these differences lead to the identification of steps to overcome the challenges that may arise. Sense of self –efficacy vs pursuit of meaning Resiliency presupposes that individuals may reach a stage in life when they must start assuming responsibility of attaining a stable life. Self-efficacy is dependent on the way an individual is able to attain self control, responsiveness and make critical life decisions. All these characteristics are gradually acquired and perfected through experience, and not, in an automatic or express manner. The pursuit of meaning or the enquiry of life of affiliation as proposed by positive psychology experts involves channeling one’s unique abilities or characteristics for the purposes of obtaining higher-level goals. It involves the examination of an individual’s belonging, sense of being and purpose and how he or she can utilize them effectively for the attainment or achievement of, through contribution or direct involvement, something of greater value. Examples here include organizations, religious groups, movements or influential groups. The main distinguishing feature of this component is that of attaining a state of permanency. These components may be similar in the way they propose long term achievement. However, whereas self-efficacy is developmental in nature, pursuit of meaning comes as a result of personal ambition and unique characteristics. The bottom line here, however, is for the attainment of certain future goals even though pursuit of meaning may present a more challenging prospect to an individual because it depends on other external factors. Post Effects The effects of not attaining the objectives of resiliency or positive psychology may also be contrasting. Whereas experts going for the concept of positive psychology state that the absence of the three discussed components are likely to result in depression in individuals, the failure to attain resilience may result in a lowly and unsuccessful life depending on what an individual is engaged in. Happiness and success in life is therefore a common factor in both features as shall be discussed in the similarities. Comparison The interconnectivity of positive psychology and resiliency is a as a result of the main component that they are meant for and that is happiness and positive living. Happiness Achieving emotional stability, self-efficacy, self-worth and the pursuit of full meaning among other components discussed in the paper all point to a single objective. They are all geared at ensuring that individuals remain focused on full realization of personal and group ambitions. Happiness and success in life is the dominant theme in all these factors and therefore the major comparison that can be drawn from the two features of human psychology. Environmental Influence It is however important to observe that external influence has got great bearing on the success of the two features. In fact, the two features rely on the external factors that are not easily controlled by the individual such as other individuals or the operational environment in which tasks are assigned. Attaining success is always relative and comparisons must be from externally set standards or objectives of achieving them. In addition to this, factors such as ecology, political and social environment have been said to have a great influence on the success of an individual or the society. Conclusion Linley and Joseph (2004) have pointed out the importance that the various proponents and experts of the positive approach have attached to resiliency. Today, resiliency and positive psychology is applied in most professions that are demanding and therefore require positive mentality. The fields may include medicine, military, education, and training among other areas. The two features are interrelated in nature and therefore not easily distinguishable. The approach of the two features of positivity and clamor for success is one area that brings out the contrast in them however. On the other hand, the results or the obtainable objective of the two features is that of achieving happiness as have been identified in the paper. As Sheldon and King (2001) have pointed out, it is becoming a great concern to many that as the human nature has been increasingly changing, it is evident that negativity should give way to positivity as advocated by the proponents of resiliency and positive psychology. The two elements are therefore important in the modern life, require much study, and focus on. Mindfulness, spirituality and flow theories of positive psychology therefore should be given much attention so that human beings continue to succeed in life. Lastly, it is important that specialists also address the challenges that might come in cases of external environmental interference that may be beyond personal control for the full attainment of the aims of positive psychology and resiliency. This way, they are going to ensure that clients have a surety of living happily. References Joseph, S & Linley, P. (2004). Positive Psychology in Practice. New Jersey: John Wiley and sons publishers. Lemay, R., & Ghazal, H. (2001). Resilience and Positive Psychology: Finding Hope. Child & Family, 5(1), 10-21. Sheldon, K & King, L. (2001). Why Positive Psychology is Necessary. American Psychologist, 56(3), 216-217 Read More