Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the first lecture of our new course in Positive Psychology. While some people may associate psychology with looking at what's wrong with us, and at what problems we have, there is much more to psychology than that. Positive psychology, for example, looks at how to help people become happier.
This lecture begins with a question: what makes a happy life?
Now, I'm going to give you one possible answer. A happy life is a life in which you are completely absorbed in what you do. Now, how does this compare with what you and your partner said?
This answer comes from the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and the theory of flow. Csikszentmihalyi is a psychologist who has spent much of his professional life on the study of what makes people happy and how we can find happiness.
Csikszentmihalyi suggests the theory that happiness is not caused by external events or things that happen to us. Our perception of these things and how we see these events either makes us happy or sad. In other words, if we want happiness, we have to actively look for it. However, this does not mean that we should always look for happiness! Csikszentmihalyi believed that our happiest moments happen when we are in a state of flow.
The theory of flow can be summarised like this: when we are totally involved in, or focused on, what we are doing, we are in a state of flow.
Csikszentmihalyi got the inspiration for this theory when he noticed how artists worked in a studio. They completely lost track of time, they didn't notice they were hungry or tired, and they could work for hours, even days, without stopping. Anyone I have spoken to who has experienced this state of concentration has said it's difficult to explain. The best way to explain it is that it is like being in a river and the flow of the water carries you away.
For the rest of this lecture, I will explore this theory of flow in more detail. First we will look at Csikszentmihalyi's life, and how it influenced his ideas. Then we will look at the conditions that go with a state of flow. What creates flow, exactly? Finally, we will look at activities that can help us achieve flow in our everyday lives. Will this course make you happy for life? Well, maybe. Maybe.
Right, let's get started. If you look at the next slide …
Of course, I have been! So many times, by the way. I'm a very passionate person who really finds hapiness in every simple thing. Even when I'm preparing my boiling coffee, I'm treasuring the moment! Changing little moments of life into thriling ones helps to have a cheery day. I love cinema for example. When I'm watching a movie or just listening to an interview with some of my favourites directors or actors, I'm completely absorbed about what they are saying. I'm just into it and I'm quit forgeting my problems. Moreover, when I'm playing the piano or reading or doing pilate or painting, I know that it's empowering me so I take care about doing it constantly. You don't need to have many hobbies, you just need to feel stronger when you've found one. Being in a "state of flow" isn't only spending a good moment and being thrilled about that. You're embracing yourself, who you really are and carving out your own personality.
Hello,
Yes , I have been in a state of flow when I study new things ,
also, when I do physical exercise, and set on the sea takes me into other world.
Unfortunately , I don't have one ( or maybe I still didn't find it )
Yes, I´ve already been in a state of flow when I´m doing experiments at my laboratory. I love doing experiments or working at the bench.
yes, while I am cooking ,I get into a state of flow. Cooking takes me into a world of happiness.
Yes, I´m always in a state of flow when I´m doing some experiment. I love working at the bench.
Definitely yes. When you're working on some difficult but interesting projects or something you're really into.
Have you ever been in a 'state of flow' while doing an activity?
Yes, I am in a state of flow when doing the logical task. I do not remember how time flies. When I solve the problem, I feel delighted. My friends tell me we cannot do task like you do because we get tired. The happiness in this lecture means that when love your profession, you can see the state of flow.
I'm in state of flow when I am faced with new situation that I have never encountered before
Have you ever been in a 'state of flow' while doing an activity? Yes, when I draw.
Drawing is my favorite activity, and I enjoy it so much.