University of Twente Student Theses
One step further in the search of the good life? : A cross cultural application of the PERMA model in Germany between individualists and collectivists in describing what a good life is to them : a qualitative study
Leimkötter, S. (2017) One step further in the search of the good life? : A cross cultural application of the PERMA model in Germany between individualists and collectivists in describing what a good life is to them : a qualitative study.
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| Abstract: | Within the positive psychology, a possible definition of the good life is given by the PERMA model of Seligman (2011) that consists of five elements: positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Because it was constructed in the West, it is likely that its elements are based on individualistic values. However, it was found that individualists and collectivists experience well-being differently. The following research questions were answered: ‘How do people describe a good life?’, ‘To what extent can the elements of the PERMA model be found in the descriptions of a good life?’, and ‘What are the differences in the descriptions of a good life between people from individualistic and collectivistic cultures?’. 25 participants originating from Germany, Russia, Brazil or Portugal, were interviewed. It was found that for individualists and collectivists a good life consisted of: relationships, positive emotions, accomplishment, social engagement, personal engagement, meaning, occupation, money, health, and traveling. Gradual differences were found in the description of all these topics except in money, health and occupation. It could be concluded that a similar intervention can be applied in collectivistic and individualistic countries in order to improve the good life. Further, four elements of the PERMA model could be supported. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 02 science and culture in general, 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/72737 |
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