Background
Positive psychology has shedded light on the human strengths based on personality trait theory. Some researchers highlighted the importance of situational factors (e.g., Kashdan & Steger,2011; Biswas-Diener,2011). However, there were few studies focused on situational factors in this area. Therefore, we planned a study figuring out basic features of “positive situations.
Sample Characteristics and Sample Size/Design
Over fourteen hundred participants answered the questions on web, to describe an unforgettable situation(n=712), and a frequently encountered situation (n=712) within one month. They were also asked to describe, a) the scene/setting, b) with whom your were, and c) the behavior they took at the situation (open questions respectively). Subsequently, they were asked to rate, 2) the positivity of the situation (1:negative – 7:positive), 3) the situations’ relationship to the wellbeing with five aspects (emotional, psychological, engaging, relational, and cultural), 4) situational cognition scales (DIAMONDS (Rauthmann,et al.,2014), CAPTIONS (Parrigon,et al.,2017), and 5) their individual happiness.
Results
One hundred and forty-five participants who did not experience applicable situations were removed. Remaining participants’ situations (n=1297) were analyzed. Means of situation positivity were 4.55(unforgettable) and 4.63(frequently encountered) (t=0.78, ns.). Seven hundred and sixty-nine situations (59.2%) were regarded as positive (over 5 point). Female participants evaluated their situation more positively than the male (4.69(F), 4.45(M), t=2.17, p<.03). Correlations with the situation positivity and the individual happiness were .28(F) and .43(M). Moreover, situation positivity correlated moderately with SWBs (r=.47-.70). Then, we classified the settings into 13 categories, and relationships into 21 categories. Result showed that leisure, hobby, and eating-out setting, and with family and friend relationship as positive. Factor analysis of DIAMONDS and CAPTIONS revealed 5 and 7 factors respectively. Positive situations showed high scores on social, importance, and typical sub-factors.
Scientific Contribution
These results suggested the situational study has no small significance on positive psychology.