Mississippi State University Social Science Discussion

2 part activity 1 paragraph for each part so in all 2 paragraphs

part one : Discussion: Role of Positive and Negative Emotions in Physical Health

Purpose: Thinking about the dual role of positive and negative emotions.

Positive psychology celebrates the value of positive emotions to our physical health. To avoid a view of positive emotions as always “good” and negative emotions as always “bad,” think about the role of both positive and negative emotions in the following hypothetical case.

Suppose a middle-aged man has experienced symptoms of heart problems. He has had a few spells of weaknesses and shortness of breath when mowing the lawn. The symptoms are not prolonged and do not occur every time he mows, but he clearly notices them. Suppose this man actually needs by-pass surgery and also needs to make major lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss and stopping smoking). Think of “negatives” like fear, worry, and anxiety, and “positives” like cheerfulness, optimism, and a positive attitude toward life.

Questions based on the above scenario:

What role might the “negatives” and “positives” play in each phase of this man’s illness and recovery? Specifically, for the 3 phases listed below consider a) what might happen if the man was experiencing mostly negative emotions and b) what might happened if he was experiencing mostly positive emotions?

1. Decision to go to the doctor.
2. Speed of recovery from surgery.
3. Willingness and ability to make lifestyle changes.

Summary Questions:

What is the potential “good” of the negatives and the potential “bad” of the positives and vice versa?

How might positive and negative emotions work together to promote good health practices? ( paragraph with this )

PART 2:Discussion: Happiness of Men and Women

Purpose: Evaluation of gender differences and happiness.

Research suggests that men and women are equally happy, but have quite different emotional lives. The following have been suggested as explanations for this apparent paradox:

– Women are more emotional than men –“highs” in a given sample of women cancel out the “lows.”

– Emotionality of women may be more apparent than real. Experience Sampling Method (ESM) measures of emotionality show fewer differences than recall measures.

– Paradox is a non-issue. From a eudaimonic perspective – health and offsetting gender strengths and weaknesses are more critical.

Questions to Answer:

1. Do you think that gender differences in happiness are important and worth considering as an issue in positive psychology? Explain why or why not.
2. Are the “on average” gender differences even meaningful? Is gender or is something else the critical variable here?
3. Do you agree or disagree that women are more emotional than men? Is this just an old, but now faded stereotype?
4. Of the three explanations for the “paradox,” which do you find the most compelling and why?