I Need Help With This Assignment According To Positive Psych

I Need Help With This Assignmentaccording To Positive Psychology The

I need help with this assignment: According to positive psychology, the absence of good feelings or experiences can cause more negative emotions. Focusing on the positive and bringing in positive experiences may cultivate pleasure, engagement, and meaning. Individuals can learn to control and even increase the number of positive experiences as well as to regulate and diminish the number of negative experiences. Using the module readings, Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, identify and analyze two articles concerning empirical evidence supporting the use of positive psychology, especially in the area of self-regulation and control. Based on your research and analysis of the articles, address the following: Evaluate the effectiveness of five positive psychology techniques. Examine empirically supported positive psychology interventions to promote well-being. Make a minimum of five recommendations for self-regulation and control.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Positive psychology, a field dedicated to understanding and fostering the factors that allow individuals to thrive, emphasizes the importance of cultivating positive emotions, engagement, and meaning in life. As opposed to traditional psychology's focus on pathology, positive psychology encourages proactive strategies to enhance well-being through deliberate practices. This paper evaluates empirical evidence supporting the application of positive psychology techniques, particularly in improving self-regulation and control, which are crucial for maintaining mental health and achieving personal growth.

Empirical Evidence Supporting Positive Psychology in Self-Regulation and Control

Two pivotal articles highlight the efficacy of positive psychology interventions. Seligman et al. (2005) conducted a comprehensive randomized controlled trial that examined the impact of various positive psychology exercises, including gratitude journaling, acts of kindness, and optimistic thinking. The study found significant improvements in participants’ subjective well-being and resilience, demonstrating that structured positive activities can foster emotional regulation and control. Similarly, Sin & Lyubomirsky (2009) conducted a meta-analysis of interventions such as positive reminiscing and savoring techniques, confirming their effectiveness in increasing positive affect and decreasing negative emotions. Both studies provide robust empirical support indicating that targeted interventions rooted in positive psychology can enhance individuals’ capacity for self-regulation by fostering positive emotional states and adaptive coping mechanisms.

Evaluation of Five Positive Psychology Techniques

1. Gratitude Practice: Regularly expressing gratitude has been shown to boost overall happiness and emotional well-being (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). Its effectiveness lies in shifting focus from negative to positive aspects of life, which can regulate negative emotional responses.

2. Savoring: The deliberate practice of relishing positive experiences enhances positive affect and prolongs feelings of pleasure (Bryant & Veroff, 2007). It promotes mindfulness and emotional regulation, helping individuals manage stress.

3. Acts of Kindness: Performing kind acts increases feelings of social connection and personal satisfaction (Layous et al., 2012). This technique fosters positive social environments that support resilient self-regulation.

4. Optimistic Reframing: Reinterpreting stressful situations with a positive outlook can mitigate negative emotions and improve problem-solving abilities (Carver et al., 2010). This mindset encourages emotional control and adaptive coping.

5. Goal Setting with Strengths-Based Focus: Utilizing individual strengths to set achievable goals enhances motivation and self-efficacy (Seligman et al., 2005). It strengthens self-regulatory capacity by promoting intentional action aligned with personal values.

Empirically Supported Positive Psychology Interventions for Well-Being

Research indicates that interventions like gratitude journaling, strengths-based exercises, mindfulness meditation, positive reminiscence, and savoring are empirically validated methods to bolster well-being. Lyubomirsky (2008) underscores that consistent application of these practices results in sustained increases in positive affect and life satisfaction. These interventions work by rewiring emotional responses, promoting resilience, and fostering adaptive coping strategies—central aspects of self-regulation. For example, mindfulness meditation enhances inhibitory control over negative impulses, while gratitude and savoring activities strengthen positive emotional memories that reinforce control over emotional experiences.

Recommendations for Self-Regulation and Control

1. Incorporate Daily Gratitude Journaling: Regularly noting three things to be grateful for helps reframe perspective and enhances emotional regulation.

2. Practice Mindfulness Meditation: Developing mindfulness allows individuals to observe and regulate their emotional responses with greater clarity and calmness.

3. Engage in Savoring Techniques: Taking intentional time to relish positive experiences prolongs positive emotions and reinforces adaptive self-control.

4. Set Strengths-Based Goals: Focusing on personal strengths when setting goals increases motivation and self-efficacy, facilitating better self-regulation.

5. Perform Regular Acts of Kindness: Engaging in altruistic acts fosters social connectedness and emotional regulation by boosting feelings of purpose and gratitude.

Conclusion

Empirical evidence underscores the effectiveness of various positive psychology techniques in enhancing self-regulation and control. Practices such as gratitude exercises, savoring, acts of kindness, optimistic reframing, and strengths-based goal setting have been demonstrated to improve emotional regulation, resilience, and overall well-being. Implementing these evidence-based interventions offers practical pathways to foster sustained positive emotions, adaptively manage negative experiences, and promote a fulfilling, resilient life. As the field evolves, continued research will deepen understanding of how these interventions can be tailored to individual needs and integrated into daily routines for optimal benefit.

References

  • Bryant, F. B., & Veroff, J. (2007). Savoring: A new model of positive experience. Psychology Press.
  • Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2010). Optimism. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 879-889.
  • Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389.
  • Layous, K., Lee, H., Choi, I., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2012). Culture matters when designing happiness interventions: Comparing happiness and cultural values. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(4), 595–618.
  • Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. Penguin Press.
  • Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.
  • Sin, N. L., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2009). Enhancing well-being and alleviating depression using strengths and positive activities. Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(5), 377-385.
  • Additional scholarly references to support points made in the paper would continue here.