Subjective Well Being from the perspective of evolutionary psychology and positive psychology
Well-being; Evolutionary Psychology; Positive Psychology; Potentialities; Self-criticism
Throughout the time, science has dedicated itself to understanding the mechanisms of various mental pathologies, which has led to essential discoveries in the treatment and understanding of numerous health complications. The evolutionary perspective has made an important contribution in the identification of such mechanisms, both with regard to their biological bases in normal functioning and changes associated with pathologies. However, there are relatively few studies based on the understanding from such a perspective of positive aspects of mental functioning such as human strengths and virtues and how this is reflected in people's overall well-being. It is currently known that subjective well-being involves a number of factors that include the inheritability of the propensity for well-being, as well as cultural, social, family and relationship contexts that can modulate their understanding. In this sense, the present study aims to present an evolutionary view of the perception of subjective well-being, including an articulation with practices belonging to Positive Psychology, such as the practice of gratitude, meditation of induction of positive affects and development of character forces, since such tools may be useful for arousing positive aspects, especially in self-critical individuals.