Positive Psychology in Coaching Flashcards
7 cards from real IAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Positive Psychology in Coaching flashcards as text
What ethical consideration must coaches keep in mind when applying positive psychology tools with clients who are experiencing grief or loss?
Answer: Coaches must honor the client's emotional experience and avoid imposing positivity prematurely
Ethical coaching requires meeting clients where they are; forcing positivity on someone experiencing grief can invalidate their experience and harm the coaching relationship.
Which research finding best supports the use of gratitude practices in coaching?
Answer: Studies show gratitude interventions are associated with increased well-being, positive affect, and prosocial behavior
Research by Emmons, McCullough, and others demonstrates that consistent gratitude practices correlate with higher well-being, greater positive affect, and more prosocial behavior.
A coach applies the 'Three Good Things' exercise with a client. What is the recommended practice for maximum effectiveness?
Answer: Write down three good things that happened each day and reflect on their causes
Seligman's 'Three Good Things' (or 'Three Blessings') exercise is most effective when clients write down three positive events daily and reflect on why each occurred.
How does 'self-compassion' as defined by Kristin Neff contribute to a coaching client's growth?
Answer: Self-compassion provides an emotionally safe foundation for acknowledging failures and taking risks necessary for growth
Neff's research shows self-compassion—comprising self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness—helps clients acknowledge setbacks without harsh self-judgment, enabling sustained growth.
A coach uses appreciative inquiry (AI) with an organizational client. Which phase of the 4-D cycle focuses on envisioning what the organization could become?
Answer: Dream
The 'Dream' phase of Appreciative Inquiry's 4-D cycle (Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver/Deploy) asks participants to envision the organization's ideal future state.
Which of the following best describes 'eudaimonic well-being' as contrasted with 'hedonic well-being' in coaching practice?
Answer: Eudaimonic well-being centers on living a meaningful, virtuous life; hedonic well-being centers on pleasure and happiness
Eudaimonic well-being, rooted in Aristotle and Ryff's work, involves living with meaning and virtue, while hedonic well-being focuses on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.
When coaching a client using the VIA Character Strengths assessment, what is the most effective way to apply the results?
Answer: Explore the client's top signature strengths and how to apply them in new contexts
VIA research supports focusing on signature strengths—the top character traits that feel most natural and energizing—and finding new ways to apply them across life domains.