Monday, September 30, 2013
Optimistic explanatory style
Explanatory style is a psychological attribute that indicates how people explain to themselves why they experience a particular event - either positive or negative.
Researchers have identified three components that make up an explanatory style:
When a person encounters a negative event do they
(1) explain where the cause of the event arises - internally or externally? That is have they internalised the cause of the event or see the cause as being outside of themselves
(2)see the extent of the event as stable or unstable? That is, is the situation seen as unchangeable or something that will change in the near future?
(3) see the extent of the event affecting their lives globally or locally/specifically. That is "I can't do anything right" as opposed to "my co-worker doesn't like what I do but I have many other friends and co-workers who appreciate me".
A pessimistic explanatory style is said to be adopted by people who generally tend to blame themselves for negative events, believe that such events will continue indefinitely and let such events affect many aspects of their lives.
On the flip side, people who generally tend to blame others for negative events, believe that such events will end soon, and do not let such events affect too many aspects of their lives display what is called an optimistic explanatory style.
A person does not necessarily show a uniform explanatory style in all aspects of their life, but may be more pessimistic or optimistic responding to different types of events.
Importantly, there is evidence that an optimistic explanatory style can be taught and adopted when it is low or absent. Watch this space for more research and interventions in this area.
Researchers have identified three components that make up an explanatory style:
When a person encounters a negative event do they
(1) explain where the cause of the event arises - internally or externally? That is have they internalised the cause of the event or see the cause as being outside of themselves
(2)see the extent of the event as stable or unstable? That is, is the situation seen as unchangeable or something that will change in the near future?
(3) see the extent of the event affecting their lives globally or locally/specifically. That is "I can't do anything right" as opposed to "my co-worker doesn't like what I do but I have many other friends and co-workers who appreciate me".
A pessimistic explanatory style is said to be adopted by people who generally tend to blame themselves for negative events, believe that such events will continue indefinitely and let such events affect many aspects of their lives.
On the flip side, people who generally tend to blame others for negative events, believe that such events will end soon, and do not let such events affect too many aspects of their lives display what is called an optimistic explanatory style.
A person does not necessarily show a uniform explanatory style in all aspects of their life, but may be more pessimistic or optimistic responding to different types of events.
Importantly, there is evidence that an optimistic explanatory style can be taught and adopted when it is low or absent. Watch this space for more research and interventions in this area.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Thriving is....
Overcoming procrastination. Or as Richard Branson summed it up "Screw it. Just get on and do it".
Friday, September 27, 2013
'Dare. Dream. Do' Part One
A book review - 'Dare. Dream. Do'. by Whitney Johnson.
I love books. I always have. Ever since I read my first Enid Blyton book.
My tastes have changed since then. Once my cherubs came along my concentration span has become shorter at night. I only seem to get one chapter read (max) before I fall asleep.
Yesterday I took the cherubs to the library and on the front display shelf was 'Dare. Dream. Do'.
Traditionally I have devoured 'self-help' classics like an ice-cream on a hot day. But lately my desire to read them has become jaded. For some reason however I decided to give it one more try and quickly checked-out Whitney's new book.
Admittedly I am only a few chapters in, which seems a little early to write a review, BUT I have picked up on a really strong idea that I have never thought of before.
You need to develop your own voice.
I think this is especially easy for men to do. And sometimes especially hard for women to do.
Having a voice, to me, means expressing your honest and open view about something. To know where you stand, and to voice that stance. To learn, listen and really take the time to think about your response, your view, and how it really effects you. To not put others' views before yours, or adopt something because you are too busy looking after everyone else to take the time to think about it for yourself, to sense deep-down how right it feels for you.
Thanks Whitney, you have really given me something to think about.
I love books. I always have. Ever since I read my first Enid Blyton book.
My tastes have changed since then. Once my cherubs came along my concentration span has become shorter at night. I only seem to get one chapter read (max) before I fall asleep.
Yesterday I took the cherubs to the library and on the front display shelf was 'Dare. Dream. Do'.
Traditionally I have devoured 'self-help' classics like an ice-cream on a hot day. But lately my desire to read them has become jaded. For some reason however I decided to give it one more try and quickly checked-out Whitney's new book.
Admittedly I am only a few chapters in, which seems a little early to write a review, BUT I have picked up on a really strong idea that I have never thought of before.
You need to develop your own voice.
I think this is especially easy for men to do. And sometimes especially hard for women to do.
Having a voice, to me, means expressing your honest and open view about something. To know where you stand, and to voice that stance. To learn, listen and really take the time to think about your response, your view, and how it really effects you. To not put others' views before yours, or adopt something because you are too busy looking after everyone else to take the time to think about it for yourself, to sense deep-down how right it feels for you.
Thanks Whitney, you have really given me something to think about.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Quick find from the research files...
Did you know....
Among youth, the use of signature strengths in novel ways along with personally meaningful goal-setting led to increases in student engagement and hope.
Madden, W., Green, S., & Grant, A. M. (2011). A pilot study evaluating strengths-based coaching for primary school students: Enhancing engagement and hope. International Coaching Psychology Review, 6(1), 71-83.
And thanks to: http://viapros.org/www/en-us/signaturestrengths.aspx
Among youth, the use of signature strengths in novel ways along with personally meaningful goal-setting led to increases in student engagement and hope.
Madden, W., Green, S., & Grant, A. M. (2011). A pilot study evaluating strengths-based coaching for primary school students: Enhancing engagement and hope. International Coaching Psychology Review, 6(1), 71-83.
And thanks to: http://viapros.org/www/en-us/signaturestrengths.aspx
And we're back....
Yes there has been a few drinks between posts (well not entirely literally) but this has been due to (yes here comes the excuse..) my allocation of time to my studies. I am currently in my final undergraduate year and time really has flown...
But now back to my beloved blog.
The positive psychology movement is rapidly progressing (thank goodness) and I am amazed at the changes in the field that have taken place in just one year.
One of the key components of this science is studying the components and correlates of wellbeing. To date, there are five well examined interventions that can be used to enhance wellbeing. These are taken from an article written by Dr Dianne A Vella-Brodrick MAPS taken from the InPsych magazine.
Personally, I use the character strength intervention on an (almost) daily basis and I have found it to be useful in gaining perspective on myself and increasing my resilience in particularly challenging times....
So what about you? Have you tried any of the above interventions? If so, have they worked? If not, what do you think about them? Please leave your comments below..
But now back to my beloved blog.
The positive psychology movement is rapidly progressing (thank goodness) and I am amazed at the changes in the field that have taken place in just one year.
One of the key components of this science is studying the components and correlates of wellbeing. To date, there are five well examined interventions that can be used to enhance wellbeing. These are taken from an article written by Dr Dianne A Vella-Brodrick MAPS taken from the InPsych magazine.
- Three good things - before going to bed, write about three good things that happened that day and explain why you think these good things occurred.
- Identify and use character strengths - visit viacharacter.org to complete the strengths survey, and then use one of your strengths in a new way, every day for a week
- Savouring through capitalising - share a positive experience of yours with someone else. In doing so, provide specific detail about the event and how you felt with the aim of generating and re-living that positive experience
- Best possible self - visualise and write down what it would be like in the future once all your dreams and goals are fulfilled
- Counting acts of kindness - note how many times you have observed others being kind to you or others
Personally, I use the character strength intervention on an (almost) daily basis and I have found it to be useful in gaining perspective on myself and increasing my resilience in particularly challenging times....
So what about you? Have you tried any of the above interventions? If so, have they worked? If not, what do you think about them? Please leave your comments below..
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