A102 The Beethoven Factor: The New Positive Psychology

This course focuses on the new field of positive psychology-a clinical and scientific approach that seeks to transcend the illness ideology and move beyond its preoccupation with fixing what's wrong with us to identifying and developing what's right. We'll discuss the limits imposed by the pathogenic model and its location of human adjustment inside the person rather than in the person's interactions with others, the environment, and sociocultural processes. Incorporating the current research on such topics as the "thriving response" and "stress-induced growth," this course will explore new opportunities offered by a psychology that seeks to understand what's best and bravest about us, not just what's worst and weakest.

Meet the Instructor

Paul Pearsall is a neuropsychologist, clinical professor at the University of Hawaii, and author of 15 bestselling books. His most recent book, The Beethoven Factor, presents new findings from the emerging field of positive psychology, research on the silent epidemic of "languishing," and documented cases of persons who've learned to flourish not only despite but also because of their life crises. In 1972, Dr. Pearsall established the first positive psychology clinic at Sinai Hospital of Detroit and recently received the Scripps Medical Center's Trail Blazer in Medicine Award for his research and clinical work in positive psychology. He's been invited to deliver a keynote address on his work at the annual 2004 American Psychological Association conference.

Course Contents

Session 1: Why "Normalcy" Is Dangerous to Your Health • Stress induced growth • The five myths of "madness" • Toxic success • Fundamentals of the new positive psychology • Principles from paradise

Session 2: Characteristics of the CIA (Crisis Induced Awakening) • Languishing, the silent epidemic. • Five responses to adversity • Diagnosing the "flourishing response" • "Vital engagement"

Session 3: Freedom from the Selfish Brain • Creative caring beyond time and space • The role of temperament • Psychoneuroimmunological factors related to psychological temperament • The heart's code: Cellular memories and cardio-synchronization

Session 4: The Four Human Strengths • Hardiness: The power of giving up • Happiness: The pleasure prescription • Healing: Three paths to reconnection • Hope: Authenticity, gratitude, sanctification, forgiveness, and benefit finding

Learning Objectives

1. Compare and contrast the "pathogenic" and "salutogenic" models of health and well-being.
2. Identify and describe cultural and ancestral roots of a positive psychology orientation to human functioning.
3. Describe the neuropsychological basis of and differences between the "worsening, victimizing, surviving, resilience, and thriving" responses to adversity.
4. List at least four clinical interventions based on research in the field of positive psychology
5. Describe the psychoneuroimmunological and energetic bases of the heart/brain connection as related to differences between languishing and flourishing
6. Identify at least four false beliefs that many therapists bring to their first encounter with their clients.