Positive Psychology

What is Positive Psychology?

Positive Psychology essentially began as a new domain of psychology in 1998 when Dr Martin Seligman chose it as the theme for his term as president of the American Psychological Association.

Clinical psychology had previously come to focus almost exclusively on what we don’t want for our mental health. It’s main focus has been on the study and treatment of mental illness. As important as that is, Positive psychology is based on the major insight that treating mental illness is not the same as promoting mental wellness. Getting rid of what we don’t want in our life doesn’t automatically give us more of what we do want.

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living, focusing on individual and societal well-being. It studies positive subjective experience, positive individual traits, and positive institutions...it aims to improve quality of life. It is a field of study that has been growing steadily throughout the last few decades as individuals and researchers look for common ground across all cultures on better well-being.

What can positive psychology do for us?

In short, it can Increase our life satisfaction through our subjective experience.

Since positive psychology is the study of well-being, positive psychology can give us tested and true interventions to make life better for all of us.  

Happiness-enhancing interventions include expressing kindness, gratitude, optimism, humility, awe, and mindfulness.

There is also substantial valuable information on how to develop grit and perseverance and resilience.  

The evidence for understanding and implementing positive psychology is so clear that a number of years ago, the US military implemented it across its entire population because they want everyone in the US military to be as mentally fit as they are physically fit.

As you will find going through this material there are things that we can do that bolster our mental health. Positive Psychology uses scientific research methods to determine exactly what they are.

Dr. Martin Seligman Biography

Commonly known as the founder of Positive Psychology, Martin Seligman is a leading authority in the fields of Positive Psychology, resilience, learned helplessness, depression, optimism and pessimism. He is also a recognized authority on interventions that prevent depression, and build strengths and well-being. He has written more than 250 scholarly publications and 20 books. Dr. Seligman's books have been translated into more than twenty languages and have been best sellers both in America and abroad. Among his better-known works are Flourish, Authentic Happiness, Learned Optimism, The Optimistic Child, Helplessness, and Abnormal Psychology. His book Character Strengths and Virtues: A handbook and classification, was co-authored with Christopher Peterson.

In 1998, Dr. Seligman was elected President of the American Psychological Association. His primary aim as APA President was to join practice and science together so both might flourish - a goal that has dominated his own life as a psychologist. Since 2000, his main mission has been the promotion of the field of Positive Psychology. Dr. Seligman is expanding Positive Psychology to education, health, and neuroscience, and has applied his research to groups like teachers and students, the U.S. Army, athletes, and every-day people. His goal is to make the world happier.

Dr. Seligman was born in Albany, NY and received his B.A. from Princeton University, Summa Cum Laude (Philosophy), 1964; Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (Psychology), 1967; Ph.D., Honoris causa, Uppsala University, Sweden, 1989; Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris causa, Massachusetts College of Professional Psychology, 1997; Ph.D., Honoris causa, Complutense University, Spain, 2003; and Ph.D., Honoris causa, University of East London, 2006.

Dr. Seligman lives with his wife, Mandy, and their children. He is an avid bridge player and has won over 50 regional championships. He was inspired by Aaron Beck, a renowned psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania and the father of cognitive therapy.

Taken from: https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/faculty-profile/profile-dr-martin-seligman