AP Psychology Flashcards: Positive Psychology

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Positive Psychology, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Psychology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What does the 'A' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Achievement. Accomplishment for its own sake, not just for other benefits.

Flashcard 2: Which psychologist is most associated with Positive Psychology?

Answer: Martin Seligman. Founded the field and developed the PERMA model.

Flashcard 3: Identify a key goal of Positive Psychology interventions.

Answer: To increase individual well-being and life satisfaction. Moves beyond treating problems to building positive qualities.

Flashcard 4: What is 'subjective well-being'?

Answer: An individual's self-assessment of their happiness and life satisfaction. Combines emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of happiness.

Flashcard 5: What is a 'character strength' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A positive trait reflected in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. VIA Survey identifies 24 strengths across six virtue categories.

Flashcard 6: What is the 'broaden-and-build' theory?

Answer: Positive emotions broaden awareness and build resources. Barbara Fredrickson's theory on positive emotions' benefits.

Flashcard 7: Identify a method to practice savoring.

Answer: Mindfully engaging in enjoyable activities. Deliberate attention enhances pleasure and meaning from experiences.

Flashcard 8: What is 'optimism' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A general expectation that good things will happen. Seligman distinguishes between learned optimism and pessimism.

Flashcard 9: Name one positive outcome of 'flow'.

Answer: Increased personal development. Flow states promote skill mastery and psychological growth.

Flashcard 10: What is 'mindfulness' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A state of active, open attention to the present. Jon Kabat-Zinn's definition emphasizes non-judgmental awareness.

Flashcard 11: What is 'self-compassion' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: Being kind to oneself in instances of pain or failure. Kristin Neff's concept of treating oneself with kindness.

Flashcard 12: Identify a characteristic of 'eudaimonic' well-being.

Answer: Living in accordance with one's true self. Authentic happiness comes from personal values and purpose.

Flashcard 13: What is the 'broaden-and-build' theory?

Answer: Positive emotions broaden awareness and build resources. Barbara Fredrickson's theory on positive emotions' benefits.

Flashcard 14: What is 'flow' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A state of complete absorption in an activity. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of optimal experience.

Flashcard 15: Name one positive outcome of 'flow'.

Answer: Increased personal development. Flow states promote skill mastery and psychological growth.

Flashcard 16: What is a 'character strength' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A positive trait reflected in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. VIA Survey identifies 24 strengths across six virtue categories.

Flashcard 17: What does the 'R' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Relationships. Social connections are fundamental to human well-being.

Flashcard 18: Identify a key element of character strengths.

Answer: They are universally valued across cultures. Research shows these traits exist across all human societies.

Flashcard 19: What is 'subjective well-being'?

Answer: An individual's self-assessment of their happiness and life satisfaction. Combines emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of happiness.

Flashcard 20: What is 'flow' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A state of complete absorption in an activity. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of optimal experience.

Flashcard 21: What is 'savoring' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: The practice of appreciating and enhancing positive experiences. Fred Bryant's research on amplifying positive experiences.

Flashcard 22: What does the 'M' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Meaning. Refers to purpose and significance in life.

Flashcard 23: Which emotion is central to the 'broaden-and-build' theory?

Answer: Positive emotions. Joy, love, and serenity expand thinking and build lasting resources.

Flashcard 24: What is the definition of Positive Psychology?

Answer: The study of strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Focuses on human flourishing rather than just treating mental illness.

Flashcard 25: What is 'gratitude' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. A positive emotion that enhances well-being and relationships.

Flashcard 26: What is 'eudaimonia' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A concept of happiness focusing on meaning and self-realization. Aristotelian concept emphasizing virtue and meaningful living.

Flashcard 27: Identify a method to increase 'flow'.

Answer: Engaging in activities that match skill level and challenge. Balance between challenge and skill creates optimal experience.

Flashcard 28: Identify a primary focus of Positive Psychology.

Answer: Enhancing well-being and happiness. Shifts focus from pathology to building positive qualities.

Flashcard 29: What does the 'R' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Relationships. Social connections are fundamental to human well-being.

Flashcard 30: Identify a benefit of altruism.

Answer: Increased life satisfaction. Helper's high phenomenon shows mutual benefits of giving.

Flashcard 31: Identify a method to practice savoring.

Answer: Mindfully engaging in enjoyable activities. Deliberate attention enhances pleasure and meaning from experiences.

Flashcard 32: Identify a positive outcome of self-compassion.

Answer: Increased emotional resilience. Self-kindness builds capacity to handle future setbacks.

Flashcard 33: Which theory emphasizes the building of personal strengths?

Answer: Strengths-based theory. Focuses on what people do well rather than deficits.

Flashcard 34: What is 'altruism' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: The selfless concern for the well-being of others. Acts of kindness activate reward centers in the brain.

Flashcard 35: What is the 'PERMA' model?

Answer: A model of well-being: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Achievement. Seligman's framework for the five essential elements of flourishing.

Flashcard 36: Identify a benefit of practicing gratitude.

Answer: Improved emotional well-being. Regular practice increases happiness and life satisfaction.

Flashcard 37: What is the 'hedonic treadmill' concept?

Answer: The tendency to return to a stable level of happiness despite changes. People adapt to positive changes, returning to baseline happiness.

Flashcard 38: Which emotion is central to the 'broaden-and-build' theory?

Answer: Positive emotions. Joy, love, and serenity expand thinking and build lasting resources.

Flashcard 39: Identify a benefit of optimism.

Answer: Improved physical health. Positive expectations reduce stress and boost immune function.

Flashcard 40: What does the 'P' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Positive Emotion. Includes joy, serenity, interest, hope, pride, and amusement.

Flashcard 41: What does 'resilience' mean in Positive Psychology?

Answer: The ability to recover from adversity. Capacity to bounce back and grow stronger from challenges.

Flashcard 42: What is 'altruism' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: The selfless concern for the well-being of others. Acts of kindness activate reward centers in the brain.

Flashcard 43: Which psychologist is most associated with Positive Psychology?

Answer: Martin Seligman. Founded the field and developed the PERMA model.

Flashcard 44: What does 'post-traumatic growth' refer to?

Answer: Positive change experienced as a result of adversity. Tedeschi and Calhoun's research on benefits from trauma.

Flashcard 45: What is 'gratitude' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. A positive emotion that enhances well-being and relationships.

Flashcard 46: Identify a primary focus of Positive Psychology.

Answer: Enhancing well-being and happiness. Shifts focus from pathology to building positive qualities.

Flashcard 47: What does the 'M' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Meaning. Refers to purpose and significance in life.

Flashcard 48: Identify a characteristic of 'eudaimonic' well-being.

Answer: Living in accordance with one's true self. Authentic happiness comes from personal values and purpose.

Flashcard 49: What is the 'hedonic treadmill' concept?

Answer: The tendency to return to a stable level of happiness despite changes. People adapt to positive changes, returning to baseline happiness.

Flashcard 50: Identify a benefit of practicing gratitude.

Answer: Improved emotional well-being. Regular practice increases happiness and life satisfaction.

Flashcard 51: What does the 'A' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Achievement. Accomplishment for its own sake, not just for other benefits.

Flashcard 52: Identify a positive outcome of self-compassion.

Answer: Increased emotional resilience. Self-kindness builds capacity to handle future setbacks.

Flashcard 53: Identify a key goal of Positive Psychology interventions.

Answer: To increase individual well-being and life satisfaction. Moves beyond treating problems to building positive qualities.

Flashcard 54: Which theory emphasizes the building of personal strengths?

Answer: Strengths-based theory. Focuses on what people do well rather than deficits.

Flashcard 55: What is 'mindfulness' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A state of active, open attention to the present. Jon Kabat-Zinn's definition emphasizes non-judgmental awareness.

Flashcard 56: Identify a benefit of practicing mindfulness.

Answer: Reduced stress and enhanced focus. Present-moment awareness reduces rumination and anxiety.

Flashcard 57: Identify a component of subjective well-being.

Answer: Life satisfaction. Overall judgment of one's quality of life and contentment.

Flashcard 58: What is the 'PERMA' model?

Answer: A model of well-being: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Achievement. Seligman's framework for the five essential elements of flourishing.

Flashcard 59: What is 'self-compassion' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: Being kind to oneself in instances of pain or failure. Kristin Neff's concept of treating oneself with kindness.

Flashcard 60: Identify a benefit of practicing mindfulness.

Answer: Reduced stress and enhanced focus. Present-moment awareness reduces rumination and anxiety.

Flashcard 61: What does 'post-traumatic growth' refer to?

Answer: Positive change experienced as a result of adversity. Tedeschi and Calhoun's research on benefits from trauma.

Flashcard 62: What does the 'E' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Engagement. Refers to deep involvement and flow experiences.

Flashcard 63: Identify a method to increase 'flow'.

Answer: Engaging in activities that match skill level and challenge. Balance between challenge and skill creates optimal experience.

Flashcard 64: Identify a strategy to counteract the hedonic treadmill.

Answer: Practicing gratitude and savoring. These practices help maintain elevated well-being over time.

Flashcard 65: Identify a component of subjective well-being.

Answer: Life satisfaction. Overall judgment of one's quality of life and contentment.

Flashcard 66: Identify a characteristic of post-traumatic growth.

Answer: Enhanced personal strength. Trauma can lead to increased wisdom and life appreciation.

Flashcard 67: What is 'optimism' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A general expectation that good things will happen. Seligman distinguishes between learned optimism and pessimism.

Flashcard 68: Identify a strategy to counteract the hedonic treadmill.

Answer: Practicing gratitude and savoring. These practices help maintain elevated well-being over time.

Flashcard 69: What does the 'E' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Engagement. Refers to deep involvement and flow experiences.

Flashcard 70: Identify a key element of character strengths.

Answer: They are universally valued across cultures. Research shows these traits exist across all human societies.

Flashcard 71: What is 'eudaimonia' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: A concept of happiness focusing on meaning and self-realization. Aristotelian concept emphasizing virtue and meaningful living.

Flashcard 72: Identify a benefit of altruism.

Answer: Increased life satisfaction. Helper's high phenomenon shows mutual benefits of giving.

Flashcard 73: What does 'resilience' mean in Positive Psychology?

Answer: The ability to recover from adversity. Capacity to bounce back and grow stronger from challenges.

Flashcard 74: What does the 'P' in the PERMA model stand for?

Answer: Positive Emotion. Includes joy, serenity, interest, hope, pride, and amusement.

Flashcard 75: What is the definition of Positive Psychology?

Answer: The study of strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Focuses on human flourishing rather than just treating mental illness.

Flashcard 76: Identify a benefit of optimism.

Answer: Improved physical health. Positive expectations reduce stress and boost immune function.

Flashcard 77: What is 'savoring' in Positive Psychology?

Answer: The practice of appreciating and enhancing positive experiences. Fred Bryant's research on amplifying positive experiences.

Flashcard 78: Identify a characteristic of post-traumatic growth.

Answer: Enhanced personal strength. Trauma can lead to increased wisdom and life appreciation.

Flashcard 79: Identify a way to enhance resilience.

Answer: Developing strong social connections. Social support provides resources during difficult times.

Flashcard 80: Identify a way to enhance resilience.

Answer: Developing strong social connections. Social support provides resources during difficult times.