The Science of Happiness
The science of happiness is relatively new. In the past, researchers have focused on studying negative moods or thoughts and their relation to mood disorders, but new interest has influenced researchers to study the effects of happiness on mental health. Being happy and positive can act as a protective barrier to mental illness.
People who are happy tend to have better relationships, careers, and physical and mental health than unhappy people. People are constantly pursuing happiness, but they also equate happiness to different things that may not bring ultimate lifelong happiness. For instance, some people equate happiness to money or material possessions; however, some people who win the lottery are no happier after winning. For this assignment, you will be discussing how one’s thinking can influence their happiness.
Proceed with this week’s discussion by addressing the following about a relationship between happiness and mood or mental illness:
- Explain in your own words what happiness is.
- According to studies and/or the textbook, explain how maladaptive thinking like learned helplessness, negative thinking, etc. is believed to influence one’s level of happiness as well as the development of depression and maintaining of its symptoms?
The strongest answer will refer to the textbook and concepts from the reading material or other credible sources.
From your text:
Module 11: “Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders”
Video Resource
Judy Grisel: Never enough: The neuroscience and experience of addiction Grisel (2020)