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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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