Basic Concepts in Positive Psych

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Basic Concepts in Positive Psychology
Teri Coleman
October 19, 2012
PSY/220

1.
Subjective well-being is defined as “a person’s cognitive and affective evaluations of his or her life” (Diener, Lucas, & Oshi, 2002, p.63). The cognitive element refers to what one thinks about his/her satisfaction with life as a whole, and area of life like work and relationships. The affective refers to emotions, moods and feelings. The affect is positive when you experience pleasant feelings like joy and affection, and it is negative when you feel guilt, anger and shame.
I personally would not choose to the “happiness machine” simply because as good as it may sound, I would not want to only experience happiness, with this method I would not grow. Pain, sorrow and suffering are all terrible emotions, however it is surviving those bad days and bad times that have made me into the strong and independent woman I am today.
Hedonic defines happiness as the enjoyment of life and its pleasures. The hedonic view captures a major element of what we mean by happiness in everyday terms: We enjoy life; we are satisfied with how our lives are going; and good events outnumber bad events.

In contrast, eudaimonic conceptions of happiness, define happiness as self-realization, meaning the expression and fulfillment of inner potentials. From this perspective, the good life results from living in accordance with, your true self. For me personally I believe I experience more of hedonic happiness, as I am happy and enjoy my life. Some people never discover who they are, which is why I believe there are so many unhappy people in this

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