Many couples face relationship problems, and there are just as many solutions available to deal with these problems. One such solution focuses on positive psychology interventions, which focuses on creating positive future outlooks for the couple’s relationship. Researchers cite three main steps to a successful positive psychology intervention: Balancing the focus, enhancing positive emotions, and building on strengths (Kauffman et al, 2009). Not everyone agrees in the effectiveness of having a positive outlook however, as some research has found excessively positive outlooks on relationships to be illusory. These illusions are said to be measurable upon an Idealistic Distortion scale and contribute to incorrect conclusions being made about partners (Fowers et al, 2002).
Positive psychology offers many potential benefits to couples who practice it, including more connection, positive emotion, and interpersonal openness. The studies advocated for positive psychology interventions (PPIs) being performed alongside regular therapy sessions as an additive service, not a replacement for regular therapy. One such benefit of these PPIs that couples cited was increased ability to address and resolve negative emotions the day they occur, rather than letting them ruminate for days or weeks (Kauffman et al, 2009). Our text also supports the helpfulness of having a positive outlook for the future, citing that positive expectancies cause people to be more persistent in achieving their goals as well as giving them basic motivation in their activities through the implied end reward of happiness (Gruman et al, 2017).
In addition to positivity being cited as beneficial, pessimism in the face of adversity is said to be detrimental within our text. Those who are pessimistic in their outlooks of a situation will often withhold effort towards a seemingly hopeless situation, delaying their progress to a better outcome. There is also the prevalence of demotivational and destructive behaviors that come along with a pessimistic outlook, also withholding progress to a better outcome (Gruman et al, 2017). In addition to this issue, excessive positivity is said to be potentially detrimental as well. Such issues resulting from this include viewing the perceived characteristics of partners as being immutable truths rather than as personal perceptions of the individual. Additionally, if these individuals would give truthful and negative critiques of their partners, the next positive trait that arose they would overemphasize, presumably due to their need to see their relationship in an excessively positive light. An additional sign of this extra effort being exerted to compensate was the intricate detailing of their partners or telling a story to justify their views. Overall these results showed that illusory positive perceptions among couples can also be an issue alongside pessimism, motivating partners to build an excessively more positive image for their partners than what exists (Fowers et al, 2002).
Overall, the benefits of integrating PPIs into couple’s regular therapy sessions is shown to be very effective in harboring motivation and persistence among couples. However, the detrimental effects of having overly positive views of partners can be illusory, and potentially point to issues in someone’s need to view their partner so positively. Compensating for their partners negative traits can result in these illusory views harming their relationship despite the beneficial effects of PPIs. Overall however, the results show that the avoidance of both pessimism and excessive positivity about our partners can help lead to better relationships, and the use of PPIs that are integrated into regular couple therapy sessions can further enhance these effects (Fowers et al, 2002; Kauffman et al, 2009).
References
Fowers, B. J., Veingrad, M. R., & Dominicis, C. (2002). The unbearable lightness of positive illusions: Engaged individuals’ explanations of unrealistically positive relationship perceptions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64(2), 450-460. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2002.00450.x
Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., and Coutts, L. M. (Eds.) (2017). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Kauffman, C., & Silberman, J. (2009). Finding and fostering the positive in relationships: Positive interventions in couples therapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 520-531. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1002/jclp.20594