Editing Positive psychology (section)

=== 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.