Happiness and Helplessness Essay Example for Free

Happiness and Helplessness EssayDifferent procedures classical conditioning and then punishment because using dogs in experiment, spy that if dogs had been through classical conditioning experiments, could non be used in avoidance experiments obut adverse for the opposite (avoidance exp dogs 1st could learn very quickly in the classical conditioning exp second) tripartite designoone dogs put into harness and nothing done to them ( get wind) oanother set with traumatizes done to back legs but had nose plate to turn stumble shock (controllable shock emission escape) o(yoked control) had nose plate that could not turn off shock took dogs off of harness and tried to train them in avoiding shock yoked control could not learn to escape an aversion condition failure of contiguity and contingency interference effect trans-situationalilty stress vs controllability oprior exp with control effect of emblem event. Other observations oappetitive training, anxiety, depressive like state Seligman, maier, and solomons theory of learned helplessness oMotivational, cognitive, emotional aspects wherefore so important about learned helplessness? A role for contingency and not mere contiguity in learning A role of cognitions in learning, behavior and motivation Its link to depression (exposure to intractable or unescapable stress causes a depressive state) Contingency learning Contingencies oIf and only if x, then y (y dependent on x)To determine a contingency we need to drive in two bits of info oProbability that Y will occur after x p(y/x) oProbability that y will occur in the absence of x, p(y/no x) Contingency is oDelta p = p(y/x)-p(y/no x) Doe sour behavior cause some consequence Experience of control People report a subjective feeling of control if oPositive relation between response r and consequence C (behavior plunder include c) oNegative relation between response R and consequence c (behavior can inhibit C) Learned helplessness whenono relationship between R and C theory of learned helplessness learned helpless = experience with non contingency interferes with learning about contingencies depression attempt to link LH with depression osimilar surface characteristic osimilar neurochemistry hopelessness depression ois neg event important and un stirable oare consequences important and stable odoes it effect self-esteem depressive realism oput people in exp does behavior cause certain type of event ohow much control of blowing up tank was their faulting omost people are delusion about the actual amount of control their actions have while depressive people have more realistic point of determine results residents self report oincrease in blessedness, activity interview reported increased alertness nurses rated increases in ogeneral health o beat visiting other patients other people talk to staff omore involvement in activities oless time in passive activities olived longer the pursuit of happiness state vs trait happiness opleasure of the moment osubjective well be what causes happiness oAristotle.Hedonia (pleasure) Eudaimonia (a life well-lived) Some of us are born happy Strong genetic contribution to happiness oIdentical twins are more similar in happiness than fraternal twins oEven those raised in different families (via adoption) Happy events make us happy Pleasant things happen honourable as often to happy people as unhappy people And unpleasant things happy to happy people just as often older people have fewer happy event (because theyre less active) but get more pleasure from each one How to measure happiness simple polls, and reflectionsSet-point theory of happiness Our disposition determines our happiness Happiness is largely a stable internal trait oLong tern adult happiness is stable well-nigh a set point depending on genetic factors and personality traits molded Economists disagree Classis economic theory argues that ind are motivated to maximize their utility (satisfaction) A descendent of the utilitarianism theory of john mill oGreta happiness principle One must always act so to produce the sterling(prenominal) happiness for the greatest Money makes us happy Richer people are happy, but only to a certain pointMaterial lives keep increasing, but happiness does not increase at same rate What doesnt greater income produce significantly greater happiness? Ther perception of well-being oNot how well am I doing oBut how well am I doing compared to my peers Also depends on expectation of income oPeople are more sensitive to perceived losses than gains But if you factor in riches and consumption patterns it starts to account for more data Bhutan Attributional styles Why do some people exp uncontrollable stressors but not develop learned helplessness? Why do some people derive more satisfaction from success or happy experiences?oImportant how they are treated Its not whether you have a life of pleasant events its how you attribute those events Internal vs external oWere you or others to blame Global vs specific oDoes it happen everywhere or just here immutable or temporary oDoes it always happen or just now Abramson, Seligman, Teasdale (1978) Modern positive psychology Martin Seligman Using modern psychological research oPleasure oEngagement (benefit of immersing in a primary activity) oMeaning and affiliation (pleasure of belonging to a group or cause) What makes a happy life.oGerman socioeconomic panal Found that ind well being can change considerably in their lives Against set point theory oWhat were the factors that can influence whether a person becomes more or less happy for long periods of time? Be extroverted, not neurotic High precedency for humanitarian, family goals, and low priority for materialistic ones Long term partner (not be neurotic, have high priority for altruistic and family goals) Attend church foundert work too much, or too little Exercise Participate in social activities Dont be fat