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Positive Psychology: Optimism The Purpose Term Paper

In conclusion, although positive psychology has been accused of naive optimism, the truth is that research in the area can have a real impact upon people's mentalities and lives. Its character is more descriptive than prescriptive. Its purpose is to prevent rather than to heal. In order to achieve this purpose it relies upon strengths, such as optimist, a state of mind which can be learned and measured. Although there are many skeptics, research in the filed has demonstrated that there is a connection between optimist thinking and our health, whether physical or mental. Some might argue that such connection is not a direct causal relationship, yet they can not deny the fact that positive facts do have a real impact upon the functioning of the individual. Perception and self-awareness are other mechanisms which positive psychology believes to be important as far as the construction of optimist thinking is concerned. In addition, just like emotions can influence actions, actions can influence emotions. Therefore, just like theories suggest, one ought to get involved in relevant experiences of the kind in order to make sure that he or she will enhance the strength under discussion, namely "optimism."

Bibliography:

Danner, D., Snowdon, D, & Friesen,...

(2001). Positive emotion in early life and longevity: findings from the nun study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 804-813.
Diener, E. & Diener, C. (1996). Most people are happy. Psychological Science, 3, 181-85.

Fredrickson, B.L. (2004) the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, published August 17, 2004 by the Royal Society, Retrieved June 29, 2010 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1693418/pdf/15347528.pdf

Gable, S.L., Haidt, J. (2005). What (and why ) is positive psychology? In Review of General Psychology, vol.9, no.2, 103-110 Retrieved June 29, 2010 from http://www.changeforchildren.co.uk/uploads/positive-psychology-what-and-how.pdf

Positive psychology center, Frequently asked questions. University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved June 29 from http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/faqs.htm

Sherman, M. Positive psycho halved depression in kids. Clinical Psychiatry News in Associated Counselors and Therapists, Retrieved June 29, 2010 from http://www.beachpsych.com/pages/cc14.html

Shermer, M. Kool -- aid psychology: realism vs. optimism. (2010) in American Scientific, Retrieved June 29, 2010 from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=kool-aid-psychology

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography:

Danner, D., Snowdon, D, & Friesen, W. (2001). Positive emotion in early life and longevity: findings from the nun study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 804-813.

Diener, E. & Diener, C. (1996). Most people are happy. Psychological Science, 3, 181-85.

Fredrickson, B.L. (2004) the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, published August 17, 2004 by the Royal Society, Retrieved June 29, 2010 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1693418/pdf/15347528.pdf

Gable, S.L., Haidt, J. (2005). What (and why ) is positive psychology? In Review of General Psychology, vol.9, no.2, 103-110 Retrieved June 29, 2010 from http://www.changeforchildren.co.uk/uploads/positive-psychology-what-and-how.pdf
Positive psychology center, Frequently asked questions. University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved June 29 from http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/faqs.htm
Sherman, M. Positive psycho halved depression in kids. Clinical Psychiatry News in Associated Counselors and Therapists, Retrieved June 29, 2010 from http://www.beachpsych.com/pages/cc14.html
Shermer, M. Kool -- aid psychology: realism vs. optimism. (2010) in American Scientific, Retrieved June 29, 2010 from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=kool-aid-psychology
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