Positive Psychology – a Well Lived Life

What constitutes a well-lived animateness? delimitate the opineing of brio story and the conditions, traits and features of a well-lived living is a gesture that throughout history engrossed theologians, philosophers, artists and, more recently, constructive psychologists. This essay outlines findings from a selection of the belles-lettres and look for to answer this question with the aim of separateing whether cheer is the true sign and the supreme goal and marker of a well-lived vitality story.This appraise of the literature has yielded findings that possessing a disposition towards gratitude is not only indicated to be set up in a well-lived flavor, but can enhance and improve mental, somatic and spiritual life outcomes. The assorted search models utilize to justify, measure and identify the markers of a well-lived life argon briefly outlined, and fin whollyy push research directions argon indicated to expand understanding about how gratitude affects life comfort outcomes in specific populations.A challenge in researching this topic is that the literature describes cheer and well-lived in name that are used by different researchers inter revisionably and inconsistently. In this essay and in accordance with the literature reviewed, the terms happiness and the well-lived life are used synonymously. Definitions A problem with defining a well-lived life is that the terms upbeat and happiness (Frey, 2011 Kristjansson, 2010), and the good life and happiness (Dunn & Brody, 2008) are used by researchers interchangeably.Indeed Diener (2000) denounces that the very term well-being has come to be known in common usage as happiness. Seligman (2011, pp 420) notes that sometimes the terms happiness and well-being define emotions whilst at other times arouse to activities. This ambiguous terminology has caused some to criticize imperative psychological science but, as both Lazarus (2003) and Kristjansson (2010) point out, precise definitio ns to describe a well-lived life dedicate also eluded philosophers and other academics for over 2,000 years.Imprecision of terminology aside, many spend a penny seek to describe the conditions required to nurture a good or well-lived life. more or little researchers have got described the good life as one effective of the hedonistic pursuit of frequent confident(p) experiences (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, & Schkade, 2005). Others have described it in terms of the offspring of employing unique geniuss to achieve abundance (Seligman, 2002), whilst still others have argued that the good life involves personal growth (Bauer, McAdams, & Sakaeda, 2005).Seligman (2002) argues that these descriptions are all reasoned because there are different pathmodal values to happiness, although it is by combining them that one lives a full or well-lived life. He describes these path meanss as the pleasant life, concerned with hedonistic pursuits, the good life, concerned with gratification of i ntrust and the meaningful life, using ones talent to serve a advanceder purpose (Seligman & Royzman, 2003). Research Findings And ChallengesEarly studies involved in identifying precisely what elements contribute to life comfort involved theatre research with participant self- describe satisfaction ratings recorded against a range of factors (Diener, 2000 Lazarus, 2003 Lyubomirsky et al. , 2005). Self covered satisfaction ratings are problematic because they are, as renowned by Kristjansson (2010), by their very nature subjective. People in difficult situations can report themselves as living a good life, whereas people who are in happier fate can report themselves as having low life satisfaction.Additionally the factors used to measure life satisfaction are problematic because what some would divvy up critical to a well-lived life whitethorn be anathema to some other (Bauer et al. , 2005) or not supported by the participants culture (Diener, 2000 Peterson, Ruch, Beermann, P ark & Seligman, 2007). pull ahead research is indicated to firstly identify what factors are actually desired in a good life, rather than simply measuring and reporting happiness levels (Kristjansson, 2010). Dieners (2000) and Peterson et al. 2007) findings appear to support Kristjanssons suggestion (2010). Both research studies identified significant cross country differences not only in the rates of life satisfaction but also the factors rated as principal(prenominal) to life satisfaction. The findings appear to indicate that single(a)istic cultures, or those that place high value on individual choice and desires, and amicableist cultures, where the needs of conclave are paramount, prioritise factors contributing to life satisfaction differently (Diener, 2000).By way of example, Diener (2000) notes that participants from collectivist cultures may sacrifice personal desires for the common good, and this is not a normative feature of individualistic cultures. Diener further no tes that sacrifice in collectivist cultures may, in fact, benefit the individual by providing them with the knowledge they are execute their duty. The concept of personal sacrifice as a factor affect life satisfaction does not appear to be studied in the literature reviewed for this essay.Despite the significance of the findings in both studies, the researchers note a limit of their design is that is that they relied upon self-selected participants who were motivated enough to complete the survey (Diener, 2000 Peterson et al. , 2007). This may have resulted in bias. terminations concerning differences in cross cultural jolts upon life satisfaction levels and factors are not unanimous. A contemplate conducted by Linley, Joseph, Harrington and Wood (2006) found no significant difference in life satisfaction ratings or factors amongst participants from different cultures, ages or gender.A terminal point of this research however, as noted by the authors, is that the study only in cluded a small number of countries with participants who could speak and reply in English (Linley et al. , 2006). It may well be that the participants who responded to the survey were Westernised. Linley et al. (2006) indicate that the study should be repeated using a multi-lingual questionnaire so that participants are drawn from a wider sample. The affable Component of a Well Lived keep Examining the literature outlining models related to a well-lived life yields important clues towards determining the ultimate signs of a well lived life.The three pathways model of a full life which includes the pleasant life of hedonistic pursuits, the good life full of desire gratification and the meaningful life (Seligman & Royzman, 2003), has been criticized because the model could be applied to the non ethical, such(prenominal) as drug dealers, as well as those engaged in more ethical activities alike (Kristjansson, 2010). Seligman (2000) noted this as a opening night but argues this is not problematic because perception is not concerned with morality.Morality aside, anti- affectionate activities do not necessarily promote relationships and research indicates that a well lived life does indeed involve actions that promote positive tender relationships (Bauer et al. , 2005 McCullough, Kimeldorf & Cohen, 2008 Peterson et al. , 2007). One way that Kristjansson (2010) suggests that the thorny issue of morality and psychology could be overcome is by applying values to define those behaviours that fall outside of societal norms, although this may result in other issues if these norms are restrictive.Although Kristjansson is not a psychologist, the idea that a well-lived life should involve societal norms does seem to be supported by Diener (2000) who suggests that societal pressures do have some bearing upon individual life satisfaction reporting. Building on the concept that a life satisfaction includes a social component, Bauer et al. (2005) argue that a well lived life includes social experiences and the ability to ascribe those experiences to a positive meaning. They go on to explain that in psychological terms this translates to having a balance between social interactions and having positive feelings about them (Bauer et al. 2005). These findings imply that there is indeed a social element to a life well lived which is supported by further research. Peterson et al. (2007) found that the sociable character traits such as gratitude have brawny effects upon life satisfaction. Indeed Peterson et al. (2007) note that social character traits such as gratitude are more strongly correlated with life satisfaction than the three pathways to happiness (Seligman & Royzman, 2003, pp 153). Gratitude As with a well-lived life, gratitude is not easily be (Wood, Froh & Geraghty, 2010).Although gratitude is variously described as an emotion, a trait and an action, nevertheless the literature indicates that a grateful disposition tends to be positively ass ociated with happiness and a well-lived life (McCullough, Emmons & Tsang, 2002 McCullough et al. , 2008 Wood, Joseph & Maltby, 2008). Typically, gratitude is described as a response that occurs after the pass on of something perceived as positive due to the prosocial actions of another (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).Aware of the limitations of previous field research, Emmons and McCullough (2003) attempted to apply a study design that randomly charge participants to different treatment conditions. They found a difference in mean well being scores across gratitude treatment groups from the comparison group, although less than expected, concluding that gratitude tended to increase psychological, social and spiritual well-being. One of the limitations noted in the study design (Emmons & McCullough, 2003), however, was that the study period was only three weeks hanker which ay not have been long enough to identify changes in responses. This limitation has been commented upon by others ( Lazarus, 2003). Indeed, Lazarus (2003) notes in particular that the lack of longitudinal studies in validatory Psychology studies concerning life satisfaction makes it difficult to identify causation and jumper lead precisely how different circumstances affect individuals, whatever the factors that contribute to a well lived life. Kristjansson (2010) notes that this is not a problem unique to studies of well-lived lives. Wood et al. 2010) noted that the definition of gratitude used in the Emmons and McCullough (2003) study did not include all of the things participants reported gratitude for that did not include a benefactor. He proposed that gratitude includes an eight level hierarchical life orientation including in ascending order noticing and appreciating life could be worse, life is short, the present moment, engaging in ritual acts of gratefulness, admiring beauty, focus on what one has, appreciating other people and reflecting upon what one has to be thankful for (Wood, et al. 2010). Using this expanded definition, Wood, linked gratitude to the Big Five traits, used to in general describe human personality (Watson, Clark, & Harkness, 1994) and that people who are grateful tend to be more agreeable, sociable, less neurotic, conscientious and extroverted. Commenting upon the benefits of gratitude, Lyubomirsky et al. (2005) note that an attitude of gratitude appears to be incompatible with negative life feelings such as greed and envy.They note that appears to encourage individuals to reflect on experiences and social relationships in a positive way. It has also been suggested that gratitude appears to protect individuals from depression (Wood et al. , 2010) and support recovery from injury (Dunn & Brody, 2008). doable Future Research Directions The literature indicates several interesting areas for future research. The first, found on observations by Wood et al. (2010) is that there have been only a few studies studying the direct relationship betwe en gratitude and happiness.Given the lack of longitudinal research to date as noted by Lazarus (2003) and alluded to by Emmons and McCullough (2003), it may well be promising to conduct intra-individual longitudinal research of the impact of gratitude on an individuals perception of happiness when experiencing the normal stressors of fooling living (Lazarus, 2003). It may also be useful to apply a longitudinal study to examine if the things that make one grateful change across cultures, ages and genders (Diener, 2000 Linley et al. , 2006 Peterson et al. 2007) although it would be highly recommended to avoid using self-selected participants in the study. Conclusion Defining a life well-lived and the factors associated with it is a problem that has defied easy description for philosophers and other academics across the ages. Much of the previous research has involved save self-reporting by participants. Given this and the fact that the very nature of happiness and a life well lived is a subjective experience, it has been argued that a propensity for gratitude impacts on an individuals ability to view their lives in a positive way, despite individual circumstances.It has also been argued that an attitude of gratefulness has several natural and mental benefits for the individual, although these studies have not yet examined precisely if the factors that make an individual grateful change across cultures and genders. Further research is indicated in this matter to area, possibly using longitudinal studies to explore how gratitude enables individuals to view adverse circumstances differently over time. References Bauer, J. J. , McAdams, D. P. , & Sakaeda, A. R. (2005). Interpreting the Good Life Growth Memories in the Lives of Mature, Happy People. diary Of disposition And Social Psychology, 88, 203-217. inside10. 1037/0022-3514. 88. 1. 203 Diener, E. (2000). 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