In these articles I'm serializing some thoughts from, and responses to, Martin Seligman's recent book 'Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment' (Random House 2002). (See http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/2136.htm for a review of another of his books - 'What You Can Change and What You Can't'). I find Seligman challenging. He says he doesn't need God to help him become a happy person (though with a Jewish name like that you'd think he'd be a theist of some kind!) ~~~ Chapter One 'By my last count' fourteen out of several dozen major mental illnesses can be effectively treated (and two of them cured) with medication and specific forms of psychotherapy. 'But this progress has come at a high cost. Relieving the states that make life miserable, it seems, has made building the states that make life worth living less of a priority. But people want more than just to correct their weaknesses. They want lives imbued with meaning, and not just to fidget until they die.' (p. xi) Two doctrines underlie modern western humans' thinking about themselves - the theological notion of original sin, and Freud's 'defining of all civilization as just an elaborate defense against basic conflicts over infantile sexuality and aggression' (xii). Seligman calls these 'rotten-to-the-core' dogmas, and asserts 'there is not a shred of evidence that strength and virtue are derived from negative motivation' (xiii). 'Psychology has badly neglected the positive side of life. For every one hundred journal articles on sadness, there is just one on happiness' (p6). People might look happy but studies of smiling faces on photos can differentiate the 'Duchenne' smilers (where muscles at the corners of the mouth and eyes crinkle in a way very difficult to control voluntarily) from 'Pan American' smilers (like those of flight attendants). Hedonists want more 'good moments' than 'bad moments' but such 'happiology' is a delusion. Drugs or 'Experience machines' can stimulate the brain and give 'positive feelings' - but not happiness. The idea that there are shortcuts to happiness which bypass personal strengths and virtues 'lead to legions of [wealthy] people [who are] starving spiritually'. Spontaneous, kind actions, studies show, beat common 'happiness moments' - like hanging out with friends, watching a movie, eating a hot fudge sundae - in making our days go better any time. Optimism is important too. 'Optimistic people tend to interpret their troubles as transient, controllable and specific to one situation. Pessimistic people, in contrast, believe that their troubles last forever, undermine everything they do, and are uncontrollable.' Some key ingredients in happiness include - in addition to optimism - qualities like altruism, the ability to postpone gratification, future-mindedness, and humor. And also the quality of 'rising to the occasion' (which may not correlate with IQ). This, Seligman calls 'the Harry Truman Effect'. 'Truman, after an undistinguished life, to almost everyone's surprise rose to the occasion when FDR died and ended up becoming one of the great presidents.' Another key ingredient: developing and using your 'signature strengths'. Seligman says one of his signature strengths is 'the love of learning, and by teaching I have built it into the fabric of my life... Simplifying a complex concept for my students... ignites a glow in me.' (I can identify with that)... Next: 'How Psychology Lost its Way and I Found Mine' Shalom - and Happy New Year! Rowland Croucher
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