Editing Positive psychology (section)

== Academic methods ==

=== Quantitative ===
[[File:QUANTITATIVE VS QUALITATIVE-43.jpg|thumb|Quantitative data is numbers-based, countable, or measurable. Qualitative data is interpretation-based, descriptive, and relating to language.]]
Quantitative methods in positive psychology include p-technique [[factor analysis]], dynamic factor analysis, interindividual differences and [[structural equation modeling]], spectral analysis and item response models, dynamic systems analysis, latent growth analysis, [[Latent class model|latent-class models]], [[hierarchical linear modeling]], [[measurement invariance]], [[experimental method]]s, [[Behavioural genetics|behavior genetics]], and integration of quantitative and [[Qualitative research|qualitative]] approaches.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Oxford handbook of methods in positive psychology |date=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |last1=Ong|first1=Anthony D. |last2=Van Dulmen |first2=Manfred H. M. |isbn=978-0-19-517218-8 |location=Oxford |oclc=61178188}}</ref>

=== Qualitative ===
[[Grant J. Rich]] explored the use of [[Qualitative research|qualitative methodology]] to study positive psychology.<ref name=Rich2017>{{cite journal |last1=Rich |first1=Grant J. |title=The promise of qualitative inquiry for positive psychology: Diversifying methods |journal=The Journal of Positive Psychology |date=4 May 2017 |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=220–231 |doi=10.1080/17439760.2016.1225119 }}</ref> Rich addresses the popularity of quantitative methods in studying the [[Empirical research|empirical]] questions that positive psychology presents. He argues that there is an "overemphasis" on quantitative methods and suggests implementing qualitative methods, such as [[semi-structured interview]]s, [[Observation|observations]], [[Field research|fieldwork]], [[Creative work|creative artwork]], and [[focus group]]s. Rich states that qualitative approaches will further promote the "flourishing of positive psychology" and encourages such practice.{{r|Rich2017}}

=== Behavioral interventions ===
Changing happiness levels through [[Psychological intervention|interventions]] is a further methodological advancement in the study of positive psychology, and has been the focus of various [[Academic journal|academic and scientific psychological publications]]. Happiness-enhancing interventions include expressing [[kindness]], [[gratitude]], [[optimism]], [[humility]], [[awe]], and [[mindfulness]].

One [[Experimental psychology#Experiments|behavioral experiment]] used two six-week interventions:<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lyubomirsky |first1=Sonja |last2=Sheldon |first2=Kennon M. |last3=Schkade |first3=David |title=Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change |journal=Review of General Psychology |date=June 2005 |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=111–131 |doi=10.1037/1089-2680.9.2.111 }}</ref> one involving the performance of acts of kindness, and one focused on gratitude which emphasized the counting of one's blessings. The study participants who went through the behavioral interventions reported higher levels of happiness and well-being than those who did not participate in either intervention.

Another study found that the interventions of expressing optimism and expressing gratitude enhanced subjective well-being in participants who took part in the intervention for eight months.<ref name=LyubomirskyDickerhoofBoehmSheldon2011>{{Cite journal|last1=Lyubomirsky|first1=Sonja|last2=Dickerhoof|first2=Rene|last3=Boehm|first3=Julia K.|last4=Sheldon|first4=Kennon M.|year=2011|title=Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way: An experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-being.|url= |journal=Emotion|volume=11|issue=2|pages=391–402|doi=10.1037/a0022575|pmid=21500907|pmc=4380267}}</ref> The researchers concluded that interventions are "most successful when participants know about, endorse, and commit to the intervention."{{r|LyubomirskyDickerhoofBoehmSheldon2011}} The article provides support that when people enthusiastically take part in behavioral interventions, such as expression of optimism and gratitude, they may increase happiness and subjective well-being.

Another study examined the interaction effects between gratitude and humility through behavior interventions.<ref name=KruseChancellorRubertonLyubomirsky2014>{{cite journal |last1=Kruse |first1=Elliott |last2=Chancellor |first2=Joseph |last3=Ruberton |first3=Peter M. |last4=Lyubomirsky |first4=Sonja |title=An Upward Spiral Between Gratitude and Humility |journal=Social Psychological and Personality Science |date=September 2014 |volume=5 |issue=7 |pages=805–814 |doi=10.1177/1948550614534700 |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/77v6z086 }}</ref> The interventions were writing a gratitude letter and writing a 14-day diary. In both interventions, the researchers found that gratitude and humility are connected and are "mutually reinforcing."{{r|KruseChancellorRubertonLyubomirsky2014}} The study also discusses how gratitude, and its associated humility, may lead to more positive emotional states and subjective well-being.

A series of experiments showed a positive effect of awe on subjective well-being.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rudd |first1=Melanie |last2=Vohs |first2=Kathleen D. |last3=Aaker |first3=Jennifer |title=Awe Expands People's Perception of Time, Alters Decision Making, and Enhances Well-Being |journal=Psychological Science |date=October 2012 |volume=23 |issue=10 |pages=1130–1136 |doi=10.1177/0956797612438731 |pmid=22886132 }}</ref> People who felt awe also reported feeling they had more time, more preference for experiential expenditures than material expenditures, and greater life satisfaction. Experiences that heighten awe may lead to higher levels of life satisfaction and, in turn, higher levels of happiness and subjective well-being.

Mindfulness interventions may also increase subjective well-being in people who mindfully meditate.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Josefsson|first1=Torbjörn|last2=Larsman|first2=Pernilla|last3=Broberg|first3=Anders G.|last4=Lundh|first4=Lars-Gunnar|date=2011|title=Self-Reported Mindfulness Mediates the Relation Between Meditation Experience and Psychological Well-Being|journal=Mindfulness|volume=2|issue=1|pages=49–58|doi=10.1007/s12671-011-0042-9 }}</ref> Being mindful in meditation includes awareness and observation of one's meditation practice, with non-reactive and non-judgmental sentiments during meditation.

=== National indices of happiness ===
The creation of various national [[Index (statistics)|indices]] of happiness have expanded the field of positive psychology to a global scale.

In a January 2000 article in ''American Psychologist'', psychologist Ed Diener argued for the creation of a national happiness index in the United States.<ref name=Diener2000>{{cite journal |last1=Diener |first1=Ed |title=Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a national index. |journal=American Psychologist |date=2000 |volume=55 |issue=1 |pages=34–43 |doi=10.1037/0003-066x.55.1.34 |pmid=11392863 }}</ref> Such an index could provide measurements of happiness, or subjective well-being, within the United States and across many other countries in the world. Diener argued that national indices would be helpful markers or indicators of population happiness, providing a sense of current ratings and a tracker of happiness across time. Diener proposed that the national index include various sub-measurements of subjective well-being, including "pleasant affect, unpleasant affect, life satisfaction, fulfillment, and more specific states such as stress, affection, trust, and joy."<ref name=Diener2000 />
[[File:United Nations General Assembly Hall (3).jpg|thumb|The first World Happiness Report was initiated by the [[United Nations General Assembly|UN General Assembly]] in June 2011. ]]
In 2012, the first [[World Happiness Report]] was published. The World Happiness Report was initiated by the [[United Nations General Assembly|UN General Assembly]] in June 2011, when it passed the Bhutanese Resolution.<ref name=WorldHappinessReport>{{Cite web|title=World Happiness Report 2023|url=https://worldhappiness.report/|website=World Happiness Report|language=en}}</ref> The Bhutanese Resolution called for nations across the world to "give more importance to happiness and well-being in determining how to achieve and measure social and economic development."<ref name=WorldHappinessReport /> The data for the World Happiness Reports is collected in partnership with the [[Gallup (company)|Gallup]] World Poll's life evaluations and annual happiness rankings. The World Happiness Report bases its national rankings on how happy constituents believe themselves to be.

The first World Happiness Report, published in 2012, detailed the state of world happiness, the causes of happiness and misery, policy implications from happiness reports, and three case studies of subjective well-being for 1) Bhutan and its [[Gross National Happiness]] index, 2) the U.K. [[Office for National Statistics]] Experience, and 3) happiness in the member countries within the [[OECD]].<ref>{{Cite book|editor-last1=Helliwell |editor-first1=John |editor-last2=Layard |editor-first2=Richard |editor-last3=Sachs |editor-first3=Jeffrey |title=World Happiness Report |date=2012 |publisher=Earth Institute, Columbia University |isbn=978-0-9968513-0-5 |location=New York|oclc=946558240}}</ref>

The 2020 World Happiness Report, the eighth in the series of reports, was the first to include happiness rankings of cities across the world, in addition to rankings of 156 countries. The city of [[Helsinki|Helsinki, Finland]] was reported as the city with the highest subjective well-being ranking,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=De Neve|first1=Jan-Emmanuel|last2=Krekel|first2=Christian|date=2020-03-20|title=Cities and Happiness: A Global Ranking and Analysis|url=https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2020/cities-and-happiness-a-global-ranking-and-analysis/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=World Happiness Report|language=en}}</ref> and the country of Finland was reported as the country with the highest subjective well-being ranking.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-20|title=Finland crowned world's happiest country for third year running|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/finland-happiest-country-united-nations-world-happiness-report-a9414201.html|access-date=2020-11-28|website=The Independent|language=en|first=Helen|last=Coffey}}</ref> The 2020 report provided insights on happiness based on environmental conditions, social conditions, urban-rural happiness differentials, and sustainable development.<ref name=WorldHappinessReport /> It also provided possible explanations for why [[Nordic countries]] have consistently ranked in the top ten happiest countries in the World Happiness Report, such as Nordic countries' high-quality government benefits and protections to its citizens, including [[Welfare spending|welfare benefits]] and well-operated democratic institutions, as well as social connections, bonding, and trust.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Martela|first1=Frank|last2=Greve|first2=Bent|last3=Rothstein|first3=Bo|last4=Saari|first4=Juho|date=2020-03-20|title=The Nordic Exceptionalism: What Explains Why the Nordic Countries Are Constantly Among the Happiest in the World|url=https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2020/the-nordic-exceptionalism-what-explains-why-the-nordic-countries-are-constantly-among-the-happiest-in-the-world/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=World Happiness Report|language=en}}</ref>

Additional national well-being indices and reported statistics include the Gallup Global Emotions Report,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gallup Global Emotions Report|url=https://www.gallup.com/analytics/349280/gallup-global-emotions-report.aspx|url-access=registration|website=Gallup|language=en}}</ref> Sharecare Community Well-Being Index,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Community Well-Being Index|url=https://wellbeingindex.sharecare.com/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Sharecare|language=en-US}}</ref> Global Happiness Council's Global Happiness and Well-being Policy Report,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Happiness Policy Report|url=https://www.happinesscouncil.org/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Global Council for Happiness and Well-being|language=en}}</ref> [[Happy Planet Index]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Happy Planet Index|url=https://happyplanetindex.org/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Happy Planet Index|language=en-US}}</ref> [[OECD Better Life Index]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=OECD Better Life Index|url=https://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/#/11111111111|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development }}</ref> and UN [[Human Development Report]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Human Development Reports |url=https://hdr.undp.org/reports-and-publications|access-date=2020-11-29|website=United Nations Development Programme}}</ref>