1. Positive Psychology What is Positive Psychology? Martin Seligman: “The aim of Positive Psychology is to catalyze a change in psychology from a preoccupation only with repairing the worst things in life to also building the best qualities in life.” Asking the right question : “What makes some individuals succeed despite unfavorable circumstances?” Why Positive Psychology? The importance of focusing on what works Happiness is not the negation of unhappiness

2. Disease Model Health Model -___________________0____________________ + neurosis, anger, anxiety,wellbeing, satisfaction, joy depression, psychosisexcitement, happiness Happiness isn’t the Negation of Unhappiness  Focus on weaknesses  Overcoming deficiencies  Avoiding pain  Running from unhappiness  Neutral state (0) as ceiling  Tensionless as ideal  Focus on strengths  Building competencies  Seeking pleasure  Pursuing happiness  No ceiling  Creative tension as ideal

3. The Hamburger Model  Rat Race No pain, no gain  Hedonism Seek only pleasure, avoid pain Devoid of challenge, life ceases to feel meaningful  Nihilism Give up on happiness Resign to the belief that life has no meaning  Happiness Present gain, future gain Ideal!!! Rat Race (Vegetarian Burger) Happiness (Ideal Burger) Nihilism (Worst Burger) Hedonism (Junk-Food Burger) Benefit Detriment Benefit + + - - In which quadrant or two do you spend most of your time?