Presented to Business Matters Edinburgh, November 2009 and adapted for The British Association of Christians in Psychology, 18 February 2012. Edinburgh, Scotland.

1. Positive Psychology Summary
Barbara Henson
November 2009
Adapted for BACIP-S February 2012

2. …the Meaningful Life…is the point where positive
psychology starts to look like a movement
dedicated to placing the Christian values that
have fallen out of Western favour into the
scientific context that so many of us hardened
rationalists crave.
Deborah Orr, The Independent, 2006

3. Aim of Positive Psychology
• The mission of positive psychology is to
understand and foster the factors that allow
individuals, communities, and societies to
flourish (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000).
• Positive emotions are considered both markers
and producers of present and long term
flourishing (Fredrickson, 2001).

4. Background
• First Force – Behavourism
• Second Force – Psychoanalysis
• Third Force – Humanistic
• Positive Psychology
– Grandparents - Maslow, Horney & Antonovsky
– Parents - Seligman, Langer & Stone

5. Martin Seligman
• APA
• The unDSM
• Eclectic and cross-cultural – universal strengths
• VIA survey
• University of Pennsylvania – Penn Resiliency
(PRP)

6. 21:1 Ratio Negative to Positive Research 1967-
2000
Psychological Abstracts
• Anger 5,584 • Joy 415
• Anxiety 41,416 • Happiness 1710
• Depression 54,040 • Life Satisfaction 258
– Ben Shahar 2009
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there
be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8, KJV

7. Biblical Ratios, Strongs
Anger, Old Testament:New Testament
7:1
Joy, New Testament:Old Testament
2:1
OT Anger:Joy NT Joy:Anger
2.5:1 6:1

8. Basic Premises
• Bridge building academia and main street
• Change is possible
• Internal factors are more important than
external factors
• Accept human nature
• The pursuit of happiness as virtuous
• Expansive and cross-cultural

9. Focus
• Studying the best, the top 1% of what works -
‘growing tip statistics’ (Maslow)
• Reframing questions - What works?
• Prevention through cultivating capacity

10. Basic Happiness
50 % Genetic
10% Environment
40% Intentional - choices

11. Processing Emotions
Appreciate Positive
By thinking about them, not analyzing (writing or
talking)
Accept negative
Ironic processing
Analyze by writing or talking about, not
ruminating

12. Post Positive Experience Order versus
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Enhancing the likelihood of positive Enhancing the likelihood of post positive
experiences (PE) experience order (PPEO)
• Acceptance of all emotions, giving • Replaying and imagining in the mind
permission to be human (positive (not analysing) e.g. replay music,
and negative emotions flow through fortifies a new neural pathway
the same pipeline) • Journaling (describing but not
• Mindfulness, prayer, being present analysing)
are antecedent to a peak experience • Taking reflection time is extremely
• Music and dance are antecedents to important for post positive
peak experience experience order, lest forgotten
• Meaningful goals, knowing where • Taking action, think about it, savour
we are going in general strong emotion such as ‘that’s my
calling, I need that call’) it or has no
• Taking time for peak experiences,
real meaningful effect on my life
versus always on the run with no
time affluence
Ben-Shahar, 2009

13. Universal Virtues: Classification of Strengths
Strengths of WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE Strengths of JUSTICE
• Creativity (originality, ingenuity) • Citizenship (Social Responsibility, Loyalty,
• Curiosity (interest, novelty-seeking, openness Teamwork)
to experience) • Fairness
• Open-mindedness(judgment, critical thinking) • Leadership
• Love of learning Strengths of TEMPERANCE
• Perspective (wisdom) • Forgiveness and Mercy
Strengths of COURAGE • Humility and Modesty
• Bravery (valor) • Prudence
• Persistence (perseverance, industriousness) • Self-Regulation [Self-Control]
• Integrity (authenticity, Honesty) Strengths of TRANSCENDENCE
• Vitality (Zest, Enthusiasm, Vigor, Energy) • Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence [Awe]
Strengths of HUMANITY • Gratitude
• Love • Hope [Optimism, Future-Mindedness]
• Kindness (generosity, nurturance, care, • Humor [Playfulness]
compassion) • Spirituality [Religiousness, Faith Purpose]
• Social Intelligence (emotional & personal
adapted from Seligman and Peterson
intelligence)
Character Strengths and VirtuesHandbook
‘The unDSM’

14. Change
• It takes 21 days to create a new habit Wm James
(this is optimistic)
• Limits on amount of self-control
• Rituals
- introduce 2 new per day
- can handle 60
• So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up),
by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).
James 2:17 AMP

15. Mind-Body Connection
Smile as source of joy
Wonderdrug
• Exercise 30 minutes 3X per week as good as
strongest antidepressant over time
• 8 hours sleep every 24 hours
• 50 minutes meditation or prayer per day
• 12 hugs per day

16. Brain Plasticity
Reinforced positive thought and reinforced
negative thoughtscn be seen on a type of
brain scans.
Dark and light ‘trees’.
Caroline Leaf, 2007

17. Relationships
• All Relationships Exponential
• Intimate predictor of long term happiness
• State of affairs – divorce rates 66% US, UK
• What makes relationships work
– Superordinate goals
– Mutual values
– Active constructive responding
– Cultivate chosen versus finding perfect person
– Know and being known
– Healthy conflict

18. Active Constructive Responding to Positive Events
Active Constructive Active Destructive
• Display enthusiasm, • Talk about the negative
excitement • Devil’s advocate
• Ask interested questions
• Find a problem
• Reinforce positives
• Frown, look worried
• Keep conversation going
Active Destructive
• Eye contact, smiling
Passive Constructive • Disinterest, diversion
• Smile, acknowledge, • Avoidance
reassure • No expression
• Silence • Little eye contact
• No Expression • Turning away
• ‘That’s great!’ – Adapted from Gable, 2004

19. Healthy Conflict
Films end where love begins, reality is romance then conflict
Best is Right and High Expectations
• Makes relationships more resilient, an opportunity for growth
• 5:1 ratio of positivity to negativity
• Affective
• Apprenticeship to the truth
• Genesis, help meet (Hebrew, ezer kenegdo)
Ben-Shahar, 2008
Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way,
for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes
no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered
wrong]. I Corinthians 13:5, AMP

20. Positive Therapy
Problem/pathology focused - magnifies
Identify problem, identify strengths, apply
strength to problem. E.g. gratitude.
Grantham, 2008

21. Positive Psychology and CBT
Comparison
CBT Positive Psychology
• Research based interest in • Research based interest in
statistical group differences statistical group differences
• Explanation and intervention • Currently explanation >
focus intervention
• Success/present & future
• Problem/past/pathology
focus thriving
• Action and reframing
• Doing and reframing changes changes internal state and
internal states and behaviour
behaviour
adapted from Grantham, 2008

22. Discussion
• As the most popular course at Harvard and other campuses
across the world, is a positive psychology which is based on
biblical principles – please note it can also claimed to be based
on other major faith principles – a formula with the power to
heal?
• Or is it one way toward divine alignment, facilitating access to
a saving faith?
• Do Christian professionals profess the difference? Moreover,
what if no one asks?
• Is this a very effective way to do well what helps the most?
Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all
the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long
as ever you can.
John Wesley

23. Resources
• Values in Action Character Strengths: www.viasurvey.org
• Work-based Talent: Rath, T. (2007). StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup: New York.
• Ben-Shahar, T. Positive Psychology Inaugural Course, Summer 2009, University of
Pennsylvania
• FredericksonFredrickson, B.L. (2001) The role of positive emotions in positive
psychology: The broaden-and build theory of positive emotions, American
Psychologist, v 56, no 3 pp218-226.
• Grantham, P. (2008, April). Positive Therapy. London: Skills Development Service,
Ltd.
• Selgman, M.E.P. & Peterson, C. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A
handbook and classification. American Psychological Association: Washington DC
and Oxford University Press: New York. [The unDSM]
• Adapted from research by Gable, S. (2004). UCLA, www.positiveleadership.com.au