Research Journal Article on Positive Psychology

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and the placebo control created positive but short effects on happiness and depressive symptoms. Participants in the gratitude visit condition showed the largest positive changes in the whole entire study (Seligman, Steen, Park & Peterson, 2005).

Many of these exercises we completed throughout this positive psychology course, even if they varied a little bit. I would use most of these exercises in my future career as a school counselor. Specifically, I would use three good things with younger children such as elementary school aged. Many times if a child has a bad day, they believe that nothing is good in their lives. I believe that this exercise would help them to identify the good things that happened throughout their day, and to look at the positive side rather than the negative. Also, I would use the gratitude visit exercise with younger children. This exercise would allow them to thank someone in their lives who has helped them out. This letter can be written to anyone such as a parent, teacher, friend, etc. Younger children often times have difficulty expressing gratitude to those who have done something nice for them, therefore, I believe that this exercise would benefit them.

The other exercises in this study such as you at your best, using signature strengths and identifying signature strengths I would use with middle school aged children or above. I believe that these exercises require a more mature audience to be completed. Not only would I use these exercises with these students, but I would use them for myself. This article proves that these particular exercises promote happiness and well-being. It has also been proven that the length of time you complete these exercises have an effect on results. Therefore, I plan to complete these exercises frequently, and for long periods of time. Although students may not be suffering from depression, I still believe that it would be beneficial to use these exercises to promote their overall well-being and happiness.

Works Cited

Seligman, M. E. (2002). Authentic happiness: using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. New York: Free Press.

Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive Psychology Progress: Empirical Validation of Interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410-421. Retrieved January 30, 2017.

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