Positive Psychology: Homeostasis of Happiness: Moods Fluctuate

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Homeostasis of Happiness: Moods Fluctuate

Homeostasis of Happiness: Moods Fluctuate: "S: (n) homeostasis ((physiology) metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that oper..."

Moods fluctate but for reasons of survival we need to stay on an even keel. Thi thought popped into my head listening to Dan Gilbert on T.E.D. Listen now:

Positive Psychology given credence by Academia:

Positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Commentators on the subject Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, note that:

"The field of positive psychology at the subjective level is about valued subjective experiences: well-being, contentment, and satisfaction (in the past); hope and optimism (for the future); and flow and happiness (in the present).

At the individual level, it is about positive individual traits: the capacity for love and vocation, courage, interpersonal skill, aesthetic sensibility, perseverance, forgiveness, originality, future mindedness, spirituality, high talent, and wisdom.

At the group level, it is about the civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals toward better citizenship: responsibility, nurturance, altruism, civility, moderation,tolerance, and work ethic."