Dr. Martin Seligman Summary

Dr. Martin Seligman is the founder and leading authority in the field of Positive Psychology. Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living. Dr. Seligman’s work primarily focusses on Positive Psychology, resilience, learned helplessness, depression, optimism, and pessimism. He is also listed as being a leader in interventions that prevent depression, as well as build strengths and well-being. Dr. Seligman is also from my hometown, Albany, New York.

Unfortunately, misbehavior overshadows positive and compliant behaviors. Teachers should realize that successful classroom management requires a teacher with an overt strategy to recognize, acknowledge, and reward the behaviors that he or she wants to flourish. We should understand that affirmation is the most positive behavior of all. Every student needs to feel that he or she will be accepted even when his/her behavior is not. Teachers should constantly model positive reinforcement for students by encouraging good behavior in the classroom. We should always think to give four positives with any corrective feedback given. (Jim Fay, David Funk, 1995) Positive Classroom Management is a set of proactive strategies that create a structured

It is argued that the field of positive psychology is relatively new and therefore long term evaluation of applications is not available. Critics suggest that its potential is exaggerated, limiting its relevance in today’s society. However, Seligman argued that psychology was too heavily focused on treating mental illness rather than promoting mental health, and aimed to redress the balance between problem behaviour and mental illness. Using the positive approach, he aimed to use a variety of techniques such as meditation and mindfulness to inoculate individuals against future mental and physical ill health. He argued that positive psychology provides tools which can promote psychological well being and allow the human race to adapt to a range of significant economic, environmental and social challenges. Seligman provided some evidence to support his claims of success. 21 replications of Seligman's schools program found evidence of decreased anxiety and depression in participants.

One benefit of using positive reinforcement in schools includes the repetition of respectable behaviors. A teacher gives rewards for turning in homework and for behaving during class. Also, the sole use of positive reinforcement keeps the classroom a very positive and encouraging place for students to learn. This is beneficial because in a positive and cheerful environment the chances of the student learning increases. According to two leading professors in the School of Human Ecology at Tennessee Technological University, providing a positive learning environment will increase student achievement and will improve student behavior. They go on to explain how a positive learning environment will provide the skills necessary for success in life after high school (Swafford, Bailey, & Beasley, 2014). This demonstrates that a positive learning environment is beneficial to students and that positive reinforcement is also beneficial because it provides a positive learning environment. Some students have limited encouragement at home; the school providing a jubilant and positive environment is vital for kids who just yearn for a smile or

As Willert & Willert suggest, ‘positive behaviour supports developed through the implementation of simple reinforcement strategies…can have a significant influence on the social climate of an entire school.’ (As cited in Zirpoli, 2012, p. 257). With this in mind, this paper aims to analyse and compare the School’s management, welfare, and discipline policies with positive behaviour support models, specifically Mayer’s (1999) constructive discipline approach. The School reflects the view that the world is multifaceted and ever changing. If you only have one way for your classroom to ‘be right’ you are setting yourself up for continued frustration and failure. Skilled teachers understand that the classroom is a complex, unpredictable, messy,

With that in mind, the first step on the road to creating a more positive psychological mindset is to change one’s outlook on life, as Seligman (2002, p.69) puts forward that those who do not express negative emotions but instead use different strategies to cope with the stresses of life tend to be more positive in themselves.

While the majority of teachers have distanced themselves from the term “punishment,” more and more teachers are distancing themselves from the term “discipline” as well. One reason for this change is due to some teachers who are unable to distinguish where discipline ends and where punishment begins. On the other hand, some educators state that “discipline” is a neutral term that does not include punishment. However, many teachers accidently use acts of punishment in discipline when they are motivated out of anger or blame the student without fully realizing that they are punishing the student. When punishment is used, a child may develop a low self-esteem or a negative self-concept and feelings of anger and disengagement. Moreover, children internalize negative messages that are carried with punishment and they eventually lose their trust in adults. Guidance has been proven to work better than punishment because these methods teach children how to know and do better.

positive psychology” is the human potential that lead individuals to become happier by discovering and promoting the factors of happiness.

Martin Seligman, who is considered the “father” of positive psychology criticizes psychology for being primarily dedicated to addressing mental illness rather than mental "wellness" (as citied by Held, 2004). In response he states that in order to enhance the well-being and happiness of ourselves we must study psychology through a different means thus his aim of positive psychology is to begin to catalyze a change in the focus of psychology from preoccupation only with repairing the worst things in life to also building positive qualities. It is the scientific study of what makes life worth living, it is the study of positive experiences, positive character traits, and the institutions that help cultivate them (Seligman, 2011).

The movement of positive psychology is a reminder that our field and study has been focusing on things like anxiety, disease, weakness, and damage. This movement urged us to shift our focus to include the study of strength and virtue as well. Positive psychology is stating that the field of psychology is more than just the study of illness or health but rather it is also about “work, education, insight, love, growth, and play” (Seligman, 2002). Positive psychology is the study of strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive and it is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.

At a casual glance, positive psychology looks like the study of happiness. It is more than that. Positive psychology attempts to explain what happiness is. It is a school of psychology that aims to help achieve a positive life, not just focusing on mental illness. It is concerned with the self and group positive emotion, action and interaction. A main focus is to help people with their strengths. If they can focus on their strengths and not just their weaknesses they can become better-rounded. Many schools of psychology only focus on mental illness and disordered behavior to the unfortunate exclusion of optimism. Positive psychology seeks to repair some of the negative connotation that psychology has received over the years.

The positive psychology intervention has a big advantage on the brighter side of our life. It have been variously intended to teach the people how to nurture their own sake with a positive emotion. It teaches to become more optimistic when it comes to the reality of life. (Waters, L. (2011). A review of school-based positive psychology interventions).

“Psychology was the science of mental life” (William James, 1890). Positive education is about using the science of positive psychology in educational environment, where it helps with teaching students about growth mind sets and how to get the most out of strengths. Here are some psychological concepts in regards to education, one of which is behaviourism, this is the science of how the mind works and processes the learning. “Behaviourism is a theory of animal and human learning that focuses upon the behaviour of the

The teacher should provide very clear and concise view of the topic and application of a particular topic so that students will be able to get a better view of the topic and therefore better able to learn them and implement. They should be given real life examples so that they can relate why and how that particular topic is really interesting and he/she should know. It will develop interest in them towards

It is generally believed that the components of healthy relationships are communication, trust, respect and love (Townsend, 2014). Clearly, after establishing a line of communication, and ensuring an environment of respect, trust is the next issue that I work on. Trust-building is a process that varies for each student but I try to initiate