WEEK 3: ASSIGNMENT #3
Re-read “Precious and Her Hair.” This time, read it in terms of Positive Psychology.
- Consider each of the significant characters in the story (not just Precious) –
- What were their core strengths? Give examples to support your ideas.
- What strengths were they NOT using? Did NOT using the strengths make their lives less happy or satisfying? Explain and, as always, give examples.
- Did any characters change in the course of the story, perhaps improving in one of their strengths? Maybe a strength they were weak in became much stronger.
- Which characters were living for which kinds of happiness? (pleasure, flow, meaning)
- If you were a counselor using your knowlege of Positive Psychology, what would you have told Precious?
- How are your strengths similar to and different from Precious’s?
- What else do you see in the story that relates to Positive Psychology?
Write a 300 - 350 word essay exploring these questions and ideas. State your ideas clearly, use examples and quotes from the story and from Positive Psychology sites on the Internet.
NOTE: 350 word essays are not 80 words long.
Each of the two main characters used some signature strengths and some core strengths. It would’ve helped if they used all the signature strengths but unfortunately Precious could’ve used them, but didn’t. Precious and her mother Lucille had very different core strengths that why Lucille could see her boy crazy daughter getting disappointed in the end.
Precious’s core strengths were Ingenuity, and valor. The problem was that she did not have any self-control. She wanted better hair to impress a boy she liked and it showed that she had no self control and she also had Ingenuity; because she wanted to reach a goal and she should’ve controlled herself from doing something completely for a boy. As she stated “You have to help, Pauline, said Precious. I want long hair and I need it fast!” (Pg. 144). She used two of the three signature strengths, not using the one of them made her life a little less fulfilling. She didn’t have any meaning to her life, she didn’t do anything that used anything of her core strengths. Although, she did use the engagement and pleasure signature strengths. Precious wanted to have gorgeous hair to absorb the attention and interest from others which shows she wanted engagement. She also indulged in the little pleasures of life, for example she loved to go to the beach. To have authentic happiness she needed to use all three signature strengths.
Lucille, Precious’s mother, used a lot of her core strengths, but it was hard to tell in the story if she had authentic happiness since she only helped Precious to be true to herself. Lucille had good judgement, emotional intelligence, perspective, self-control, and prudence. Lucille has good judgement since she already could tell that Neville Campbell was not the boy for her. Lucille said to Precious “Can’t you see he’s not paying you one bit of mind? A sweet-boy like him, only have time for fool-fool, flighty-flighty girls. Not a decent child like you.” (Pg. 144). Lucille also knew what Precious was going through with her emotions for boys and to be what everyone wanted. Precious’s mother stated “You see where vanity lead you?” (Pg. 145). When Lucille used her core strengths it made her a better person and a lot wiser.
