Positive Psychology Strategies for Promoting Student Well-being

1. Positive Psychology Strategies for Promoting Student Well-being Dalton Institute 2014 Dr. Pete Mather Ohio University Twitter: @DrPeteMather

2. Foundations of Positive Psychology • History • Well-being & Happiness (PERMA) • Positive Emotion • Engagement • Relationships • Meaning • Accomplishment

3. Positive Emotions • Example: Gratitude • Tell a neighbor about someone who has contributed to you being where you are today • Positive Emotions: Joy, Serenity, Hope, Inspiration. . .

4. Broaden and Build Theory Positivity/happiness, corresponds to problem-solving skills, creativity, and related positive outcomes Negativity (e.g., fear) narrows one’s options and limits creativity Happiness and well-being promote altruism, reduce racial bias, and extend life

5. Keep your eye on the prize • “Happiness” as a goal of higher education • Aristotle: “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence” • Eudaimonia • Amazon Results • 38,169 (Happiness) • 123,269 (Money)

6. Evolutionary Psychology

7. Overcoming Negativity Bias • Lyubomirsky’s“The How of Happiness” • H = Set Point + Circumstances + Voluntary Activities • S = 50%; C = 10%; V = 40% • Person – Activity Fit Diagnostic

8. Appreciative Mindset • The problem with focusing on problems • The Hope Imperative: Creating images of who we’d like to become • Positive Deviance

9. Strengths • Gallup’s Strengths Finder • 34 Signature Strengths • Values in Action (VIA) • Peterson and Seligman • Strengthspotting • Linley, Willars and Biswas-Diener

10. Accomplishments • Discuss an accomplishment/something you are particularly proud of . . • What factors led to this accomplishment? • Goals? • Authentic • Activity • Intrinsic • Attraction

11. Happy Together • The Love Imperative • Rich and deep relationships are the largest determinant of well-being • Fostering rich relationships with today’s college students • Micro moments of connection are meaningful (Love 2.0) • Challenges presented by fast pace/technology

12. Strategies • Gratitude • Strengths • Acts of kindness • Exercise strengths • Practice positive deviance • Put energy and effort into positive relationships • Happiness is not an all or nothing prospect!

13. References • Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D. (2005). Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change. Berrett-Koehler Publishers. • Fredrickson, B. L., & Branigan, C. (2005). Positive emotions broaden the scope of attention and thought-action repertoires.Cognition and Emotion, 19, 313-332. • Linley, A. P. (2008). Average to A+: Realising strengths in yourself and others. Warwick, UK: Random House. • Luthans, F., Youssef, C. & Avolio, B. (2007). Psychological capital: Developing the human capital edge. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

14. References • Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The how of happiness: A practical approach to getting the life you want. New York, NY: Penguin Press. • Mather, P. C. & Hulme, E. (Eds.). Positive Psychology and Appreciative Inquiry in Higher Education. New Directions for Student Services, 143, 31 - 40. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. • Peterson, C. & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. • Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness:Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. New York, NY: The Free Press. • Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. New York, NY: The Free Press.