Lecture 21: Meaningfulness, Values, Purpose, & Meaning

Meaningfulness

• PERMA Component:
  • Faith
  • Contribution
  • Purpose
  • Spiritualism

Meaning of Life Questionnaire

• A 10-item tool for studying meaning
• Two subscales:
  • Presence of Meaning
  • Search for Meaning

Michael Steger: What Makes Life Meaningful (TED Talk)

• Life is fragile and precious
• We can choose to make moments matter
• Enhancing shared life experiences
• Meaning includes:
  1. Purpose
     • Need to do
     • Involves risk and pursuit
  2. Significance
     • Need to make sense
     • Capacity to find patterns and meaning
• Importance of meaning in life:
  • Associated with vitality and goal-directed behavior
  • Older individuals often find life more meaningful

Values Scan

• A subjective evaluation of values based on personal purpose and meaning
• Identifying character strengths through qualities like calm, wisdom, trustworthiness
• Questions to consider:
  • Traits in personal relationships
  • Description when being best self
  • Admired qualities in others
  • Proud decisions
  • Crisis management

The Four S's of Meaning (Pasricha, 2016)

1. Structure
2. Stimulation
3. Social
4. Story

The Paradox of Choice - Barry Schwartz (TED Talk)

• Secret to Happiness: Low expectations
• Freedom through choice, yet too much choice leads to issues
• Issues with Excessive Choice:
  1. Choice Paralysis
  2. Regret and Anticipated Regret
  3. Opportunity Costs
  4. Escalation of Expectations
  5. Self-Blame
• More choices lead to less satisfaction
• Western societal issue
• More choice isn't always better

Maximizer Satisficer Scale

• Understanding control-seeking levels: satisficer vs. maximizer
• Satisficers are generally happier
• Key Traits:
  • Satisficers: "Good enough"
  • Maximizers: Never settle

Lecture 22: The Science of Happiness

Tal Ben Shahar (Podcast)

• Finding Happiness: Allowing unhappiness
• Difficult decisions often between right vs. right

Brene Brown: Do Not Negotiate Who You Are (Motivational Speech)

• True belonging is a spiritual practice
• Importance of self-belonging over fitting into groups
• Courage to stand alone despite rejection