Positive psychology is a science that aims to understand what constitutes a good life and how individuals can cultivate and maintain their wellbeing. However, within our field there is a scarcity of research that explores how everyday people perceive and explain wellbeing and the good life (Hone et al., 2014). As scientists we use theory to describe and predict phenomena and so do lay people. Lay theories help individuals to comprehend and make sense of the world, to prescribe how they may respond in a given situation. These theories are developed from observation and experience, yet they are not always accurate or effective, in fact research confirms that lay people will actively distort information and experience that violates their meaning systems (Plaks, Levy & Dweck, 2009). This talk will highlight the importance of language and how individuals construct lay theories, supporting the foundational role these beliefs play in Wellbeing Literacy; how we communicate about and for wellbeing.
Hone, L. C., Jarden, A., Schofield, G. M., & Duncan, S. (2014). Measuring flourishing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 4(1).
Plaks, J. E., Levy, S. R., & Dweck, C. S. (2009). Lay theories of personality. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 3(6), 1069-1081