What Is Positive Psychology?

The first way that Psychology applies to my life is the Motivation and Emotion part of it. Motivation is what drives you to conduct some type of activity. For example if someone is thirsty then they have to get up go somewhere

Let us now turn our attention towards the various approaches and philosophies behind the development of positive psychology. As already mentioned that positive psychology is a science ad therefore it must have some roots that led to its present form. If one looks back one can see that the very aim of general psychology was to cure mental diseases, to make our livesmore fulfilling and to identify geniuses.

In Professor Seligman’s TED Talk he presents to us the state of psychology today. Just what is the state of psychology today? According to Seligman it is good, not good, and not good enough. In the “good” update for psychology today, it is beneficial that psychology is progressing forward. Once what was an extreme science of finding out what is wrong with someone has progressed forward into also finding out how to improve one’s life quality. Seligman states that just sixty years ago no disorder was treatable. However in today’s world of modern psychology not only are fourteen disorders treatable, but two are even curable. In the terms of not good, in Seligman’s opinion, there has been too much of an extreme focus on mental illness. Seligman believes that psychology has gone a pessimistic route and in turn forgotten about improving “normal” lives to make people less miserable. He believes that there should not only be interventions in terms of treating mental illness, but also interventions to make people happier. Seligman lists a few different ways that positive psychology could improve itself to go this route. The main idea is that psychologists should be concerned with both strength and weakness of people, therefore building strengths and repairing weakness. From further research in modern positive psychology has sought to answer just what are happy people and what makes them happy? Seligman explains that

The field of positive psychology, founded by Martin Seligman (1998), seeks to influence individuals whose lives are “neutral” and increase their psychological well-being. Positive psychology offers a unique perspective on mental health through focusing on individual strengths rather than dysfunction, pathology, and mental illness (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). The goal of positive psychology is to assist individuals in creating meaningful lives through the promotion of positive emotions, individual character strengths, as well as, eudemonic happiness, as key components to optimal mental health. Like many other contemporary theories, positive psychology borrows principles and

To understand positive psychology and trauma, one must first understand what each term means. First, positive psychology is the study and focus on the best in human behavior. It is a fairly new perspective being observed and used by psychologists from all over the world. The goal of positive psychology is to study and promote conditions that can help people to achieve happy, healthy, and productive lifestyles. It is derived from research and theories from many areas of psychology and tying them together while focusing on the positive aspects of human behavior. What does it mean to be positive? Being positive is displaying affirmation, acceptance, or certainty toward an object, idea, or person.

In class on Monday, we had a very engaging presentation on positive psychology and how flourishing shapes our perspective to be the successful young adults we are today. Positive psychology is the study of promotion for successful functioning. Building enabling conditions for a life worth living is vital to being satisfied with our lives and within ourselves. A few enabling conditions for a life worth living for my own perspectives is my resilience, my supportive buffers, and using my signature strength to help others.

Positive psychology is concerned with three issues: positive emotions, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. The first aspect “positive emotions” examines contentment in terms of the past present and future (Seligman, 2007). The second aspect, “positive individual,” identifies one’s virtues and strengths. Furthermore, where positive individual looks at the person, “positive institution examines the community (p. 75). In terms of happiness, this is considered an emotional state and is achieved when balance occurs between the stresses of life and the person’s ability to let the things that are bogging him or her down. It is interesting to note that because of the large amount of

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.

I understand the term confirmation bias could be misleading and could harm you if not used in the correct way, but if you use it to your own self confidence benefit you will find that you can achieve anything within you.

“A Balanced Psychology and a Full Life” are extremely linked to one another, helping people to become lastingly happier in their lives. Happiness is what makes you feel good from time to time, how satisfied you are with yourself, and what keeps you going in your life. However, there are people who have mental disorders who can’t understand happiness and suffers. But with psychologists helping them treat their mental disorders and using interventions to improve their positive emotions, they are giving depressed, troubled people hope that they could one day feel the true happiness in their lives again.

Positive psychology principles that assist with the last four stages of Erikson’s psychosocial development are: resiliency, using assimilative and accommodative processes, telling our life story, and having positive posttraumatic growth. The aforementioned principles allow for cognitive and emotional growth and assist with a positive outlook on life.

In conclusion, the Good Life is within reach for me and anyone who hopes for it. Positive psychology provides the blueprint on actions and cognitive thinking which will lead me to happiness and balance. The goals I have established through the course and by focusing on: my signature strengths, knowing my motivational method, establishing goals, achieving flow, being healthy, continued cognitive and emotional growth, wisdom, and spirituality, I will meet “my” Good

Positive psychology, which has emerged recently, is the scientific study of human thriving. Psychology traditionally focuses on dysfunction—on people with mental illness or other psychological problems and how to treat them. Positive psychology, by contrast, is a relatively new field that examines how ordinary people can become happier and more fulfilled. In his 1998 APA presidential address, Seligman, the founder of positive psychology, argued that psychology had become too focused on curing mental illness according to a disease model, and that, for all intents and purposes, it had become a “victimology” (Seligman, 1998). What was needed, he averred, was a new “science of human strengths,” a positive psychology (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000).

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.

The field of positive psychology is about “valued subjective experiences” such as; well-being, satisfaction, hope and happiness. “ At the individual level, is about positive individual traits” of having the capacity for love and vocation, forgiveness, originality, high talent and wisdom. “At the group level, it is about the civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals toward better citizenship” (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000, p.5). Gable and Hidt defined positive psychology as “the study of the conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people, groups, and institutions”. Sheldon and King (2001) describe it as “ nothing more than the