Social psychology in Organizations specialization at Leiden University

Lecture 1: Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology: the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive

Positive organizational behavior (POB): the study and application of positively oriented human resource strengths and psychological capacities that can be measured, developed, and effectively managed for performance in today’s workspace.

Some studies say happy people are more productive (Oswald, Proto & Sgroi, 2015).

Nun study (Danner, 2001):

-Do happy people live longer than unhappy people?

-Writings of aspiring nuns about their lives, just before taking their final vows.

-Researchers marked texts for how positive they were

-Findings: age 90: unhappy nuns ~ 30%, happy nuns ~ 60% alive.

Happiness

Determinants of happiness (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon and Schkade, 2005):

~50% genetics

~ 40% intentional activities

~10% circumstances

Happiness research – twins:

-Monozygotic twins are very likely to be similarly happy

Circumstances: account for about 10-15% of our happiness levels

• Income/wealth
• Age
• Health
• (Gender)
• Marriage
• Religion
• Education
• Beauty

Intentional acts:

-Express gratitude for what you have/what is going well

-Help other people

-Savor pleasant things in life

-Stay in shape, live healthy

-Cultivate social relationships

-Have goals and ambitions that you value

-Increase flow experience

-(Try to rebound quickly from negative events)

Changes in wellbeing:

-condition1: do acts of kindness (5 a single day): got a lot happier

-condition2: do acts of kindness (1/day): got a bit happier

-control: got unhappier

Intentional activities:

1. It's episodic
2. It can be varied
3. Can directly counteract adaptation to circumstances

How to be happy according to positive psychology:

-Do new activities rather than change circumstances

-Vary

-Fit between activity and values

- Appreciate 

-Take part in activities that give you flow

Flow: Experience of complete absorption in the present moment

-when you lose track of time

-clear, proximal goals

-challenges that stretch (a bit) your existing skills

-immediate feedback

People vary widely in their experience of flow, even if skills are equal

How to measure/investigate flow:

-Questionnaire: after the fact, frequency and which activities

-Experience sampling method (ESM)

-Objective measurement/Observation

-Physiological measures (e.g.: cortisol)

-Experimental manipulation

Application of flow interventions: 

-in educational contexts

-in therapy

-at work

Flow can be present in unwanted areas: e.g.: binge watching tv

How do you recover from negative events that happened to you?

-Resilience: ability to bounce back

-Low and high end of distress: are unhappy. Moderate amount: happiest

-Those who have experienced adversity deal with it better a second time

-Self-compassion: self-kindness + sense of common humanity + mindfulness

-Self-compassion and academic achievement

--> Mastery orientation: motivated by curiosity, desire to develop skills. Making mistakes is part of the learning process. Higher levels of intrinsic motivation. More self compassion

--> Performance orientation: motivated to defend or enhance their sense of self-worth. Evaluate their ability via social comparison