Welcome to Positive Psychology Chapter One Welcome to Positive Psychology Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

What Is Positive Psychology? The scientific and applied approach to uncovering people’s strengths and promoting their positive functioning. Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Historical overview Before World War II emphasis on curing illness, making life more fulfilling, and nurturing talent… 1947 NIMH shifted focus to research into pathology Human beings came to be seen as passive Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Building strength resilience and health and young people Shift from pathology to prevention Children seen as decision-makers Emphasis on amplifying strengths rather than repairing weaknesses Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

What Is Positive Psychology? Balancing foci of Applied Psychology: -What is wrong with people? (study of deficits) -What is right with people? (study of assets) (See “Building Human Strength: Psychology’s Forgotten Mission” by Seligman, p. 4-5) Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Benefits of Focusing on the Positive In daily life: It feels good! In psychological research: - balances already developed pathology model - informs us about that which is good and strong in people Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Benefits of Focusing on the Positive Ultimate Goal = Psychology as an inclusive approach: 1. Individual Strengths 2. Individual Weaknesses 3. Environmental Stressors 4. Environmental Resources Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Balancing, not Replacing Avoid pathology versus positive debate Avoid “us-versus-them” thinking Focus instead on the common goal of both camps: - to understand and help people Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

History of Positive Psychology Martin Seligman University of Pennsylvania President of the APA in 1998 To further “knowledge about what makes life worth living” Science as the backbone Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Personal Mini-Experiment: What You Want to Experience (p. 11) You have control over your mental agenda (thoughts) Choose to focus on the positive Goal of doing Personal Mini-Experiments: - bring positive psychology to life - similar to research or clinical applications Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Overview of Course Text Part I: Looking at Psychology from a Positive Perspective Introduction Eastern and Western Perspectives Classifications and Measures of Strengths and Positive Outcomes Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Overview of Course Text Part II: Positive Psychology in Context Development of Strengths and Living Well within a Cultural Context Living Well at Every Stage of Life Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Overview of Course Text Part III: Positive Emotional States and Processes The Principles of Pleasure Making the Most of Emotional Experiences Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Overview of Course Text Part IV: Positive Cognitive States and Processes Self-Efficacy, Optimism, & Hope Wisdom and Courage Mindfulness, Flow, & Spirituality Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Overview of Course Text Part V: Prosocial Behavior Altruism, Gratitude, & Forgiveness Attachment, Love, & Flourishing Relationships Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Overview of Course Text Part VI: Understanding and Changing Human Behavior Balanced Conceptualizations of Mental Health & Behavior Interceding to Prevent the Bad and Enhance the Good Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Overview of Course Text Part VII: Positive Environments Positive Schooling Gainful Employment Building Better Communities Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

Overview of Course Text Part VIII: A Positive Look at the Future of Psychology Going Positive Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE

The big picture 21st century United States as prosperous, stable, and poised for peace Other positive errors: 5th century Athens, 15th-century Florence, Victorian England Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2014 SAGE