What is positive psychology?
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Introduction to key concepts like happiness, positive emotions, and the science behind well-being for beginners.
By mastering this deck, you'll understand the core principles of positive psychology, learn how positive emotions contribute to well-being, and acquire practical strategies to enhance happiness in everyday life. This knowledge can be applied to improve personal resilience, foster optimism, and promote mental health.
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| # | Front | Back | Hint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is positive psychology? | Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living, focusing on strengths, well-being, happiness, and positive emotions to enhance human flourishing. | Think of it as the 'study of what goes right' in life. |
| 2 | Name three core components of happiness as described in positive psychology. | The three core components are positive emotions, engagement, and meaning (often summarized as the PERMA model). | PERMA: Positive, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Achievement. |
| 3 | What are positive emotions, and why are they important? | Positive emotions include joy, gratitude, hope, and love. They are important because they broaden our thinking, build resilience, and contribute to overall well-being. | Think of positive emotions as fuel for mental health. |
| 4 | Define hedonic well-being. | Hedonic well-being refers to happiness derived from pleasure and the avoidance of pain, emphasizing immediate positive feelings. | Hedonic = pleasure-based happiness. |
| 5 | Define eudaimonic well-being. | Eudaimonic well-being involves living in accordance with one's values, realizing personal potential, and seeking purpose and meaning in life. | Eudaimonia is about fulfillment and purpose. |
| 6 | What is the 'broaden-and-build' theory of positive emotions? | It suggests that positive emotions broaden our thought-action repertoire and help build lasting personal resources, like resilience and social connections. | Positive emotions expand possibilities. |
| 7 | How does gratitude enhance well-being? | Gratitude increases positive emotions, promotes social bonds, reduces stress, and enhances overall life satisfaction. | Practicing gratitude shifts focus from what's lacking to what's abundant. |
| 8 | Name a common positive psychology intervention aimed at increasing happiness. | Practicing gratitude journaling, where individuals regularly write about things they are thankful for, is a widely used intervention. | It's about counting blessings. |
| 9 | What is flow, and how does it relate to happiness? | Flow is a state of complete immersion and engagement in an activity, leading to heightened enjoyment and fulfillment, which contributes to happiness. | Flow = losing oneself in the task. |
| 10 | Explain the concept of 'set-point' in happiness research. | The set-point refers to the baseline level of happiness that individuals tend to return to after positive or negative events, suggesting a biological or personality-based stability. | Happiness tends to revert to a personal baseline over time. |
| 11 | What role does optimism play in positive psychology? | Optimism involves expecting positive outcomes, which can improve coping, increase resilience, and boost overall well-being. | Optimists see the glass as half full. |
| 12 | Describe the PERMA model of well-being. | The PERMA model includes five elements: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement, which collectively promote flourishing. | Think of PERMA as the five pillars of happiness. |
| 13 | What is resilience, and how is it connected to happiness? | Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, and it enhances happiness by helping individuals recover quickly from setbacks and maintain positive functioning. | Resilience = mental toughness. |
| 14 | How does social connection influence happiness? | Strong social connections provide emotional support, increase feelings of belonging, and are linked to greater happiness and longevity. | Humans are social creatures; relationships matter. |
| 15 | What is the significance of mindfulness in positive psychology? | Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment intentionally and non-judgmentally, which can reduce stress and increase positive emotions. | Mindfulness = present-moment awareness. |
| 16 | How can focusing on strengths improve well-being? | Identifying and utilizing personal strengths fosters a sense of competence, increases engagement, and boosts positive emotions. | Play to your strengths. |
| 17 | What is the role of purpose in happiness? | Having a sense of purpose provides direction, motivates behavior aligned with values, and enhances life satisfaction. | Purpose gives life meaning. |
| 18 | Explain how positive psychology differs from traditional psychology. | While traditional psychology often focuses on diagnosing and treating mental illness, positive psychology emphasizes fostering strengths, happiness, and optimal functioning. | From fixing problems to building strengths. |
| 19 | What is the impact of hope on mental health? | Hope involves goal-directed thinking and pathways, which can promote motivation, resilience, and positive adaptation during adversity. | Hope fuels perseverance. |
| 20 | Give an example of a positive psychology technique used in daily life. | Practicing daily acts of kindness, such as complimenting someone or helping others, can increase positive emotions and overall happiness. | Small acts, big impact. |
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