S1 - Assumptions

• Acknowledgement of free will

  • Humans are in charge of emotions
  • Free will to change emotions
  • We are self-directing and adaptive
  • Good life if we use our strengths and virtues
  • Seligman - happiness not genes or luck but is recongisation of strengths
• Acknowledge of free will exampe

  • Supported by Diener, why people are happy
  • Studied ties students have with families and friends and measured how much time spent with them
  • Stronger the ties, happier the person
  • negative correlation between happiness and depression levels
• The good life

  • Seligman recongises 3 desirable lives
  • Pleasant life: pursuing positive emotions (things that give us pleasure)
  • Good life: pursuing activities that positively absorb us (flow) (relationship/work)
  • Meaningful life: deep sense of fulfillment and purpose of self
• The good life examples

  • Positive connection to others : ability to trust, enjoy happines, forgive, etc
  • Positive individual traits: personal qualities (morality)
  • Life-regulation qualities: regulate and control behaviour (autonomy, faith)
• Authenticity of goodness and excellence 


  • Feelings and happiness are as natural as anxiety and stress
  • Assign positive states of mind equal attention
  • Seligman - traits like virtue and happiness are less authentic than negative traits
  • Seligman - we inherit “Signature strengths” like kindness
• Authenticity of goodness example

  • Assumption is influential in therapies - rather try fix what is wrong, positive therapist aims to facilitate the well-being
  • Positive approach changes philosophy and practice of traditional psychology that focused on the bad by celebrating the good