I'm abnormal
After studying psychology I discovered I'm abnormal, problem is the rest of the world thinks they are normal
Justin
I was pondering something on the way back and that sorta just came out, u know we'd solve a lotta problems around the world if people just accepted others for the way they are
Well, I kinda missed lessons last week and hence didn't really blog, but that's still not much of an excuse, I'll just have to work harder to catch up. (on the bright side since exams are at the end of the year, delayed revision means some stuff will still be fresh)
I'm working with just notes rather than lectures this week, so I hope they'll be as good as those without.
Positive Psych
Hmmm lemme see notes again indicate that Happiness is to a large extent herditary, though we draw from Monozygotic (identical) and Dyzygotic (fraternal) twins this time, i.e. even when raised apart (different environment / nature vs nuture) Monozygotic twins... same conclusion except
it seems that negative emotions seem to have greater genetic bias than the environment (I wonder why, is it cos fear, sadness helped a certain group of our ancestors survive? It means if a person is genetically wired to be sad, he will be perpetually pron to periods of negative affect?)
and we're back to
Happy = 40 (variabe) + 10 (circumstance) + 50 (hereditary)
So the next portion of the lecture notes discuss personality traits, I'm sure I've done those before I'm XX% neurotic XX% extraversion XX% Psychotic (Eysenck) those curious about the test I googled it and u can have fun here
However, I really dun think these tests are good idicators? I mean they indicate preferences for certain types of behaviour or values, but they might fail to predict our actions well. Also there's another problem if u scored 8 on neuroticism and 9 for extraversion does that mean u're a neurotic? Nonetheless they are good starters to know other individuals and gives u certain insights to their schemas and perspectives in life.
Also imagine putting an 'extrovert' in a farm and an 'introvert' in a city, then switch their places. So personality isn't exactly a good indicator for happiness, so we might need to look into their actions and thoughts to find out how people make themselves happy right?
I'll conceed on one point tho lol research does show that extroverts might predispose themselves towards happiness since companionship and relationships are important factors in happiness. Good thing is I think that extraversion and other characteristics can be learnt. I mean 'everyone' has learnt rules about being at funerals and parties right? Practice makes perfect.
I kinda like the next portion on Approach and Avoidance goals since they're both featured in Principles of Learning as well,
Approach goals refer to someone doing something with the target in mind.
Avoidance goals refer to someone doing something to avert or avoid an unpleasant situation.
Reasearch shows Asian cultures (Collectivist) use more avoidance goals whereas Western cultures (Individualistic) cultures use more approach goals. I seriously think this is nonsense in Singapore? and in fact most of the world? since most people would possess a good degree of both approach and avoidance goals.
e.g. Justin is doing this to
approach goals
a) look good to his friends who are reading his blog
b) revise
c) get good grades
avoidance goals
a) doesn't want to fail his exams
b) doesn't want to get bad grades
c) doesn't want to waste a semester
The thing is once I achieve a to c of both avoidance goals and approach goals, I feel happy, but only momentarily. Given some time maybe a week or so I'll be back to the same old me... else peoplee will start thinking I'm on drugs :P
So this isn't exactly happiness either
Well so what's next? being psychologist I guess we peer into our minds and how we think. Research shows, Happy people tend to focus on improvements and aren't prone to dwell on failures! I think this part is also similar to that of PoL, where we try to cultivate learners to become goal orientated, and eventually learning to enjoy making short term realistic goals and achieving them (e.g. being able to run at 10 on the treadmill for 50mins by the end of September)
to be honest I started tryin' to get fitter about a month or two back. I took really really small small steps (those u'd feel embarassed by at the gym?) and each time I achieved something it just motivated me to do a little more, strangely before I knew it, the kinda galvanized the other parts of my life...
so thinking or achieving positive things can lead towards an upwards spiral as compared to a downward spiral of emotions... hence this weeks' lesson on the broaden and er something theory...
After all that, I guess it's really our perspectives that colour the way we view the world, good thing is we can change how we feel. As mentioned above we can learn, though it often takes a concious effort
"Genius is 99% pespiration, 1% inspiration" Thomas Edison
think the same goes for happiness, we need to stay focused on being happy.
The lecture notes suggested several ways to be happy, though I think I like
Random acts of kindness best, cos these extend to the simple smiles, good mornings and even opening the door for someone and it's sooo easy to do :P
>< getting late I'll work on PoL tomorrow