http://www.XtraordinaryWomen.co.za Xtraordinary Women Networking Session: Somerset West TOPIC: The New Science of Positive Psychology by Manuela Glasbrenner from MetaThoughts 5 July 2012 - Manuela Glasbrenner Erinvale Golf Estate, Somerset West

1. The new Science of
Positive Psychology
5 July 2012 - Manuela Glasbrenner
Erinvale Golf Estate, Somerset West

2. What is Positive Psychology?
Dr. Martin Seligman
(2004)
Psychology should be...
1. ... bothered with human strengths as much as
it is with weaknesses.
2. ... about building the best things in life just as
we repair the worst.
3. ...as concerned about making normal people´s
lives happier as with healing pathology.

3. A little bit of history...
Emil Kraepelin
We don´t learn
about health if we
only know disease
People can make
choices that lead
them to become
happy and healthy.
Sigmund Freud

4. What is Positive Psychology?
Interventions
1. Primary Prevention 3. Primary Enhancement
„Stop the bad before it happens“ „Make life good“
2. Secondary Prevention 4. Secondary Enhancement
„Fix the problem“ „Make life the best it can be“

5. Happiness – why bother? - Longevity
Cecilia O'Payne 54% alive at age 85
90% alive at age 94
“God started my life off well by bestowing upon me grace of
inestimable value. The past year which I spent as a candidate
studying at Notre Dame has been a very happy one. Now I look
forward with eager joy to receiving the Holy Habit of our Lady
and to life a life of union with Love Divine.”
11% alive at age 85
34%alive at age 94
Marguerite Donnelly
“I was born on September 26, 1909, the eldest of seven children, five
girls and two boys. My candidate year was spent in the
motherhouse, teaching chemistry and second year Latin at Notre
Dame Institute. With god's grace, I intend to do my best for our
order, for the spread of religion and for my personal sanctification.”

6. Studying Positive Emotions
The Broaden and Build Theory (2000)
Positive emotions Negative emotions
(e.g. joy) (e.g. fear)
=> creative thinking => protection
Barbara Fredrickson => action => no action

7. Studying Positive Emotions
Building resources through an upward spiral
Opening up to New thoughts
cues & possibilities & activities
broadening
Building resources
more Positive (social support, skills,
emotions knowledge etc.)
Increased
health &
fulfilment

8. Studying positive emotions
Positive emotions lead to improvements in...
Thinking abilities Social life
Perception Interactions with people
Problem solving Relationships
Creativity Generosity
Goal setting
Health Job performance
Pain resistance Persistence
Immune functioning Productivity
Resistance to viral infections Income
Later lung cancer onset Overall success

9. Obstacles on the path to happiness?
Why „bad news“ is stronger than „good news“
TOWARDS... AWAY!
Amygdala

10. What makes you happy?

11. What makes you happy?
Pleasures Gratifications
Consuming Activities
Sensations Inner drive
Come easy Require effort
Immediate reward Reward afterwards
One can not fail Risk of failure
Temporary Last longer
Use of strengths

12. The strengths based approach

13. The strengths based approach
Talent:
Our strongest neural connections:
„Natural patterns of thoughts, feeling or behavior“
+ knowledge = consistent, near
Strength perfect performance in
+ skills an activity
strength
weakness

14. How to detect your talents?
Spontaneous reactions
How do you approach situations when you are under stress?
Try different activities
Write down two activities you would like to try out
Rapid learnings
What have you learnt in the past that came very easily to you?
Satisfaction
Which (work) activity are you looking forward to?
Listen to your yearnings
What did you enjoy most when you were a child?

15. Where now from here? Summary
Positive We are at the beginning of a new understanding of
Psychology the choices that lead to happiness.
Positive Emotions Positive emotions help us to be better in all areas of
life. Feel positive and create an upward spiral!
Remember your brain detects a lion behind every
Bad news? bush. Are your fears really a lion or actually a door to
walk towards to open?
Take a look at what makes you feel happy:
Pleasures in life
What are lasting sources of happiness?
Your strengths are absolutely unique. Find them and
Strengths then sail off to make the difference nobody else can
make.

16. Where now from here?
Subscribe to my blog on www.metathoughts.co.za
Book reviews , interviews and news on Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology Coaching
Meetup on Positive Psychology & Happiness, 19 July, CT