Authenticity of goodness and excellence – A Level Psychology Eduqas Revision

Understanding Authenticity of Goodness and Excellence

Authenticity of goodness and excellence is a key philosophical cornerstone of the Positive approach to psychology.
It embraces the belief in genuine human virtues, such as compassion, resilience, and honesty and emphasizes the potential for excellence in human behaviour and character.
Positive psychologists identify these virtues as authentic and fundamental elements of human nature.

Key Features of Authenticity of Goodness and Excellence

Authenticity refers to the degree of congruence between an individual’s actions, values, and true self.
It implies consistency between what one feels or believes and one’s actions.
The Positive approach does not view human virtues merely as societal constructs, but as inherent traits that individuals can nurture and expand.
The approach promotes the idea that people are genuinely capable of goodness and that this capacity is not just a facade or social expectation.

Implications of Authenticity of Goodness and Excellence

Appreciating authenticity encourages individuals to invest in cultivating virtues and positive strengths.
It also supports people to live in alignment with their values and convictions, which can contribute significantly to personal well-being, moral behaviour, and social cohesion.
Believing in authenticity of goodness and excellence also implies everyone has the potential for personal growth and positive development.

Strengths and Criticisms of the Concept of Authenticity of Goodness and Excellence

One of the strengths of the concept is that it promotes a positive view of human potential and encourages individuals to develop their virtuous traits.
However, critics argue that emphasising authenticity of goodness might lead to under-emphasising or neglecting the darker aspects of human nature.
It has also been argued that the notion of authentic goodness and excellence might be culturally loaded, with different cultures potentially valuing different virtues.
Critics also point out that it can be challenging to measure or verify authenticity, raising questions about how the concept can be systematically applied or studied.

Authenticity of Goodness and Excellence in Research and Applied Contexts

The concept shapes many Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs), which involve training individuals to harness their inherent virtues for personal development.
It is also central to therapeutic approaches such as Positive Psychotherapy, which help individuals identify, develop and utilize their inherent strengths and virtues.
Research into authenticity of goodness and excellence has revealed links with positive outcomes, such as higher life satisfaction, positive affect, and improved relationship quality.

The belief in the authenticity of goodness and excellence offers a countering perspective to psychological models that tend to focus on pathology and dysfunction. Instead, it highlights the genuine potential for health, virtue, and positive human flourishing.