AP Psychology Flashcards: Positive Psychology
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
How do positive subjective experiences apply to behavior and mental processes?
Positive subjective experiences, such as gratitude or personal growth, can influence behavior and mental states by increasing well-being and fostering resilience.
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How do positive subjective experiences apply to behavior and mental processes?
Positive subjective experiences, such as gratitude or personal growth, can influence behavior and mental states by increasing well-being and fostering resilience.
After recovering from a serious illness, a person feels a new appreciation for life and has stronger relationships. What phenomenon does this illustrate?
This illustrates posttraumatic growth, a positive subjective experience that may result after experiencing trauma or stress.
What are signature strengths or virtues?
They are an individual's core positive character traits which, when exercised, are reported to lead to higher levels of happiness.
An athlete who loves teamwork (a signature strength) joins a new sports club. How might this action affect their happiness?
By exercising their signature strength of teamwork, the athlete is likely to report a higher level of happiness.
Define posttraumatic growth.
Posttraumatic growth is a positive subjective experience in which an individual experiences significant positive psychological change after a trauma or stressful event.
How does positive psychology approach the study of behavior and mental processes?
It focuses on identifying and promoting factors like well-being and resilience, rather than solely concentrating on pathology and dysfunction.
Under what conditions might posttraumatic growth occur?
This positive subjective experience may result after an individual has gone through a period of significant trauma or stress.
A student starts a daily journal to write down things they are thankful for. What concept are they applying and what is the expected outcome?
They are applying the positive subjective experience of expressing gratitude, which is expected to increase their subjective well-being.
What is the relationship between exercising signature strengths and happiness?
People who actively use their signature strengths or virtues consistently report experiencing higher levels of happiness and well-being.
According to positive psychology, what is a direct effect of expressing gratitude?
Expressing gratitude is a positive subjective experience that directly increases an individual's subjective well-being.
What is the primary goal of positive psychology?
Positive psychology seeks to identify factors that lead to well-being, resilience, and overall psychological health.