Harvard Open Course: Positive Psychology Lecture 3 Note

Continue to describe positive psychology with a lot of example.

Talk about health model and disease model
Disease model can bring you to zero but not more than that.
Instead, health model not only corrects what is wrong but also builds up what is right.

Five premises (but I don’t know what these are necessary)

1. Bridge building Vs. Division and separation
      
Good intentions are not enough. To see what works is also important.
Being a practical idealist

2. Change is possible Vs. Change is illusive

Growing-Tip Statistics
Study the best and all of people get benefit.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

“All history is a record of the power of minorities, and of minorities of one.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. Internal factors primarily determine happiness Vs. Happiness is primarily a function of external circumstances

4. Human nature must be obeyed Vs. Human nature must be perfected

5. Happiness is and ought to be the ultimate end Vs. Happiness should be a secondary pursuit