‘Flow’, or the ‘flow state’, refers to what you might know as being ‘in the zone’. It is that state where you are wrapped up in the activity that you are doing, so much so that you are ‘one’ with it (in the sense of being fully engaged that is; not a strange zen thing).The [ Read More ]
One of the main areas of research in positive psychology is the search for positive traits of character, aka ‘strengths’. There are a few models of strengths out there now, such as Gallup’s workplace-oriented StrengthsFinder model (if you’ve seen the book ‘Now, discover your strengths’, that what that is all about), and the more …
I just watched Nic Marks of the New Economics Foundation’s recent TED talk, which I hope I can embed below. Marks and I both appear have a problem with the amount of media attention that the financial industry gets. For me, I don’t like the contradiction where science writing has to be dumbed …
There’s an apparent paradox in the research on positive emotions, and how they relate to the immune system, something that doesn’t make sense on first inspection. But like many things in psychology, I think the answer has something to do with sex. I was quite surprised to find out how much research there is into [ Read More ]
Every noticed how when something is vaguely Eastern and mystical, it sort of gets a special kind of regard from people? Maybe it’s the way almost every old Asian character in film and TV is incredibly wise and insightful, or something. Anyway, I’ve noticed it. So I wanted to raise a few critiques of …
Not long ago, many scientists had the belief that after the age of about three, the brain was pretty much fixed in function. You could imprint new memories and learn new skills, but that was about it. There was an opposing belief too, that said the brain was a ‘blank slate’ upon which the …
There are many definitions out there, but they all point towards roughly the same thing: * A science of well-being * A science of well-being and optimal functioning * A scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive * Positive psychology is the study of the conditions and processes [ Read More ]
Although they are often unpleasant, negative emotions have an important purpose in our lives, because they prepare us to deal with potential threats. If someone transgresses against you, you become angry, so that you might retaliate and discourage future transgressions. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, anxiety will help you avoid the …
Note: I’m not sold on this theory. More on that later, but for now, this is how the theory of the happiness formula is commonly explained. What your instincts tell you about how to be happier is probably wrong. Most people try to change their happiness by changing their circumstances. The logic is, by changing [ Read More ]
Picture the scene: you’re sat down relaxing one day, when your phone rings. You answer – it’s a good friend of yours. She explains that she needs to predict how happy someone will be in ten years time. She heard that you read a book about happiness, and wants your help. She’s rushed – it’s [ Read More ]
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