Introducing Psychology

by Carol Ciccarelli

  Research has not only been done with a person’s ability to handle negative emotions or trauma though. To help people strive Positive psychologists have researched which Character Strengths would most help a person achieve success as they define it. In most of the studies performed Perseverance showed itself most often and so has been concluded to be the most effective Character Strength when attempting to predict success in work or at school. Much of this work has been done on students of varying ages and degree levels. For example, one study conducted by Park & Peterson, 2008a controlled for IQ and attempted to use the presence of strengths to determine the GPA of students. In this study it was determined that the Character Strengths most closely linked to academic success was Perseverance, Honesty, and Fairness. This was conducted on middle school and college students, but another conducted on only college student revealed many of the same findings. In the second study it was determined that Love of Learning and Humor also contributed greatly to predicted GPA (Lounsbury et al., 2009). These studies did not only focus on students but teachers as well. In one of the previously mentioned studies the same group of students’ teachers were also evaluated. The data here was gathered by examining the test scores of the students. In this study it was determined that students that had teachers strong in Social Intelligence and Humor had significantly increased test scores when compared to their counterparts with other teachers. Other studies surrounding Positive psychology focus on the physical well-being of individuals. While this may be psychology it can still greatly affect the physical functioning of our bodies. Often times it is not realized how much emotions and thought pattern can affect hormone levels and even the response time of muscles. As with psychological problems, physical problems can often be studied to determine which strengths have the biggest impact on improvement or quality of life. In this was it can be extrapolated which strengths will help a healthy person thrive. For example, Peterson, Park, & Seligman, 2006, revealed it was a strong sense of Bravery, Kindness, and Humor which allowed a person with a physical disorder to have a higher satisfaction with life. Additionally, the strengths of Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence and Love of Learning helped improve quality of life in those with psychological disorders. There have also been studies performed that sought to reveal the positive health effects of developing a strength in and of itself. For example, Gratitude has been shown to have beneficial effects on health in several populations. By counting blessings and expressing Gratitude a lessening of physical problems and symptoms associated with them can be achieved, Emmons & McCullough, 2003. As mentioned before the use of subjects with physical issues is often used and in this study it was those with neuromuscular disease. When these subjects expressed Gratitude there was a marked decrease in the noticing of negative symptoms and increase in well-being. Another study focused on younger subjects also showed that Gratitude, when used regularly, can lead to higher levels of positive emotions associated with life satisfaction and a lessening of physical issues, (Froh, Sefick & Emmons, 2008). There have also been several studies attempting to identify Character Strengths that aid in the development of sexual health. While these studies have focused mainly on children it should be noted that those who develop a healthy sexual sense of well-being also exhibit higher values of self worth later in life. One of these studies identified Love of Learning and Curiosity as key contributing Character Strengths to sexual health as well as abstinence from use of drugs. Spirituality and Prudence were also contributing strengths when it came to the decision to engage in sexual activity and the building of sexual intimacy, (Ma et al., 2008). While these may seem like rather limited expressions of these strengths it is important to realize the impact sexual emotions and activities have on relationships with others and ourselves. By identifying the impact the Character Strengths have on these activities it makes it possible to research the most effective way to implement these ideas. The research into these strengths is ongoing as well as the research into implementing the lessons learned in daily life. In addition to studying the general impact of strengths as a group on physical health and well-being they have been studied individually as well. In a powerful and lengthy study, seventeen years, Love and its impact on survivability of HIV patients was researched. Again, many of these studies begin from a point of disadvantaged health but the findings can be applied to those already deemed healthy. In this study, conducted by Ironson et al., 2017, the length of time survived living with the disease was associated with the reception and the expression of Love. Those individuals who received a significant amount of Love from others and also practiced self Love were predicted to and did live longer than those with lower values of Love. Though this was done with those experiencing an already reduced well-being it can be applied to any life to increase happiness and quality of life. Another study focused on increasing physical well-being through the utilization of Character Strengths focused on those with heart issues. In this study each participant was directed to focus on exercising and using a particular signature strength. This experiment was designed to be in direct competition with other treatments already prescribed to those with the condition. After the study it was shown that this form of intervention was more effective than the currently accepted treatments. In a similar study performed by many of the same people there was a focus on three specific Character Strengths and their effect on cardiovascular health. The three strengths focused on were Gratitude, Hope and Kindness. When an individual used these three strengths as a treatment option it had significantly greater results than the established treatment protocols. This, along with the other studies mentioned, have been integral in pushing the science of Positive psychology further. These are not the only studies done along these lines of inquiry of course and there are still many current research projects ongoing. Currently being studied is the relationship between the use of Character Strengths and work productivity and job satisfaction. In one of these studies it was determined that defining a job as a calling was an important factor for increasing positive emotions and thought patterns associated with working. The key factor in this shift of mindset is an exercise in which an individual takes time to identify the larger implications of the work they are doing and examining the positive effects it may have on society as a whole. This study not only focused on job satisfaction but productivity on the job as well. After the job had become a calling and positive emotions were associated with work it become apparent that these positive attitude and emotions led to greater productivity at work as well. In addition to these obvious benefits there was also building of other strengths such as Teamwork and Leadership. The building of a meaningful life and increased Engagement also. This study also highlighted the fact that after entering into these mindsets there was an experience of high positive emotions and increased engagement, (Lavy & Littman-Ovadia). Every single exercise discussed previously is supported by and designed by findings from this research. These were not the only studies used to support the findings of Positive psychology though. Since 2007 there have been countless studies that have used the techniques of psychology to examine the underlying foundation of Positive psychology. These studies have become increasingly focused on developing certain Character Strengths as well as identifying those strengths in populations of thriving individuals. This element of using a population of already healthy persons physically and mentally has remained an element of Positive psychology research to modern day. This important aspect of the discipline has led to developments and understandings that would not be available otherwise. It is also important to remember another tenant of Positive psychology, these positive states and traits can be learned. The original research that led to the development of the discipline was learned helplessness. The question asked to be Positive psychology research was, “Can traits that lead to a good life be learned?” Another question Positive psychology seeks to ask is, “What is the good life?” This is a central concept of Positive psychology that cannot be overstated. If the traits that lead to a being feeling
helpless and despondent and depressed can be learned, so to can the traits that lead to happiness. All of the research mentioned above and subsequent research has pointed to support of this hypothesis. Research is ongoing in many countries around the world and many universities have Positive psychology as a doctoral degree and established research laboratories. As mentioned before there are many tools online that are offered for free or very cheaply that will help with the identifying of strengths and activities to build them.

  Conclusion

  Positive psychology is the identification and examination of a happy life. This most simple sentence has been the pursuit of almost every human since the beginning of time. The serious scientific inquiry into the subject though, is only a recent occurrence. Though it is a young discipline it has the benefit of the experience of all of scientific advancement and thinking before it. In fact, this particular discipline and practice has philosophical roots that are deeper even than any of the so called hard sciences. In ancient times the people who spent their lives dedicated to the thought and study of life were revered. Entire theologies were built around the philosophies of men who spent their lives seeking meaning and well-being for people. It is fitting then that this most ancient line of thought has been given new life in the new millennium. Though researchers cannot use the evidence of thousands of years of human happiness as evidence in their findings they have still found biological and evolutionary evidence for these theories. Today the science has been developed to the point of identifying aspects of the human psyche that can be identified through experiments and replicable as well. These strengths have been put through rigorous testing. These tests have been done to the standard of all scientific disciplines and are recognized around the world. An important aspect of modern psychology mentioned earlier was replicability of experiments. This means that once an experiment is done and findings published it must be able to be done by other psychologists elsewhere and produce the same or very similar results. Positive psychologist research and experiments have withstood that test and have developed many valuable tools and exercises based on this research. Furthermore, some of these studies have spanned decades and after the implementation of the tools discovered have produced amazing results. There are many organizations around the world who still pursue research along these lines. Many professionals use Positive psychology in therapy or coaching. There are also many universities who offer graduate and doctoral degrees in the pursuit of this discipline. This is all to say that the research has proven itself viable around the world and has been almost universally accepted. There is little criticism to the theories proposed by Positive psychology and most criticisms are focused on the division or categorizing of the already identified Character Strengths. The good life is something that can be learned. A life of Engagement and well-being is not beyond the reach of any person regardless of origin. There are twenty-four Character Strengths in every single individual and regardless of the innate ability in each of those they can be increased. Happiness and well-being can be achieved by using the twenty-four Character Strengths in everyday life and doing so will lead to happiness and success. These techniques are not meant to cure any illness but by using them they can increase satisfaction with life for those already happy or struggling. There are countless resources on the internet or in print as well as practicing professionals with many different areas of focus. Readers are encouraged to engage their Love of Learning and pursue the furthering of their understanding of themselves and their strengths into the future.