STRENGTHENING THE HEART OF STUDENT AFFAIRS THROUGH POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Dr. Peter Mather, Ohio University

NACA Mid-America Regional Conference

November 9, 2013

The Party School Problem

Focusing on Problems

“The core belief from which we operate is that an alternative or better future can be accomplished by more problem-solving [. . .] This context—that life is a set of problems to be solved—may actually limit any chance of the future being different from the past. The interest we have in problems is so intense that at some point we take our identity from those problems.” (Block, 2008, p. 33)

Focusing on Problems

“The core belief from which we operate is that an alternative or better future can be accomplished by more problem-solving [. . .] This context—that life is a set of problems to be solved—may actually limit any chance of the future being different from the past. The interest we have in problems is so intense that at some point we take our identity from those problems.” (Block, 2008, p. 33)

• The Story of Positive Psychology

Happiness• A Goal for Student Affairs?

• The Ultimate Currency• Aristotle: “Happiness is the highest good and the end at which all

our activities ultimately aim.”

• Amazon Search• Happiness: 35,998• Money: 196,280

Happiness as a Goal is Debatable

Broaden and Build Theory• Positivity/happiness,

corresponds to problem-solving skills, creativity, and related positive outcomes

• Negativity (e.g., fear) narrows one’s options and limits creativity

• Happiness and well-being promote altruism, reduce racial bias, and extend life

How about a little gratitude?

Happiness Defined: Pleasure

Happiness Defined: Engagement

Happiness Defined: Meaning

Negativity Bias

Attention

Language is Generative

Horror Story

Healthy Story

Tell a Story. . .• Describe an especially positive experience from an

interaction with a student

• What made it special?

• Encourage students and staff to tell their healthy stories

Setting Sights on What is Working

The How of Happiness

• Happiness = Set point + Circumstances + Voluntary Activities

• S = 50%• C = 10%• V = 40%

Voluntary Activities• Expressing gratitude• Setting goals• Performing acts of kindness• Exercising strengths• Savoring life’s joys• Exercising body• Meditating

The Greatest Feeling is:

The Heart of Student Affairs• Understand that our emotional and intellectual dimensions

are connected• Learn from and use positive experiences for improving

practice• Develop flourishing students through capitalizing on their

strengths and positive experiences• Focus on emotional climate when students are in

personally challenging situations• Finally, understand that the work we do in building

community and social and emotional development provides a strong foundation for students to be adaptive and resilient in a complex and ever changing world

THANK YOU!!

References• Fredrickson, B. (2013). Love 2.0: How our supreme emotion affects

everything we feel, think, do and become. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

• Fredrickson, B. (2009). Positivity: Top-notch research reveals the 3 to 1 ratio that will change your life. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press.

• Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The how of happiness: A scientific approach to getting the life you want.

• Mather, P. C. & Hulme, E. Positive psychology and appreciative inquiry in higher education. New Directions for Student Services, 143. San Francisco, CA: Wiley Periodicals.

• Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasing fulfillment. New York, NY: The Free Press.

• Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. New York, NY: The Free Press.