- Your original discussion should answer the following questions and thoroughly discuss your work on the questionnaire(s) you selected. The discussion must be between 150 to 200 words. This should be a discussion in narrative format, not a list copying these instructions!
- Your score on the questionnaire or results, if applicable. If your selected questionnaire doesn't provide a score, then say so in your discussion and discuss the questionnaire.
- Your opinion regarding your score or results is based on the feedback in the questionnaire AND on what you learned about that topic in the related chapter. Discuss your results fully and why you think you got the score you got. What does your score say about your performance in that area?
- What have you learned in the chapters and module that might change the way you think or act in the future? How will you apply this knowledge in your life?
Chapter 16 Positive Psychology EXERCISE 16.1 Self-Assessment: What Is Your Happiness Profile?
Instructions All of the questions below reflect statements that many people would find desirable, but answer only in terms of whether the statement describes how you actually live your life. Please be honest and accurate. Use the following scale to answer the questions:
5 = Very much like me 4 = Mostly like me 3 = Somewhat like me 2 = A little like me 1 = Not like me at all
The Scale
1. My life serves a higher purpose.
2. Life is too short to postpone the pleasures it can provide.
3. I seek out situations that challenge my skills and abilities.
4. I keep score at life.
5. Whether at work or play, I am usually "in a zone" and not conscious of myself.
6. I am always very absorbed in what I do.
7. I am rarely distracted by what is going on around me.
8. I have a responsibility to make the world a better place.
9. My life has a lasting meaning.
10. No matter what I am doing, it is important for me to win.
11. In choosing what to do, I always take into account whether it will be pleasurable.
12. What I do matters to society.
___13. I want to accomplish more than other people.
__14. I agree with this statement: "Life is short—eat dessert first."
15. I love to do things that excite my senses.
__16. I love to compete. Source: Peterson (2006, pp. 100-103); based on Peterson, Park, & Seligman (2005).
Scoring the Scale Your Orientation to Pleasure score is the sum of points for ques- tions 2, 11, 14, and 15; your Orientation to Engagement score is the sum of points for questions 3, 5, 6, and 7; your Orientation to Meaning score is the sum of points for questions 1, 8, 9, and 12; your Orientation to Victory score is the sum of points for questions 4, 10, 13, and 16.
My Orientation to Pleasure Score
My Orientation to Engagement Score
My Orientation to Meaning Score
My Orientation to Victory Score
Interpreting Your Scores The questionnaire measures four possible routes to happiness: through pleasure, through engagement, meaning, and victory. What is the highest score of the four? This is your dominant orienta- tion. And what is the configuration of your scores? That is, are you "high" (> 15) on all four orientations? If so, you are oriented toward a full life and are likely to be highly satisfied. Or are you "low" (<9) on all four orientations? If so, you may have a more empty life and are likely to be dissatisfied. You might consider doing something different—anything!—in your life. And if you are high on one or two orientations, chances are that you are satisfied with life, although you might seek further opportunities for pursu- ing your signature way of being happy.
PERSONAL EXPLORATIONS WORKBOOK W-47