Chapter One Welcome to Positive Psychology Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE

Chapter One

Welcome to Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human

Strengths © 2010 SAGE

What Is Positive Psychology?

The scientific and applied approach to uncovering people’s strengths and promoting their positive functioning.



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)



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



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



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



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 backbonePositive Psychology: The Scientific

and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 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



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



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




Part III: Positive Emotional States and Processes

The Principles of Pleasure

Making the Most of Emotional Experiences



Overview of Course Text Part IV: Positive Cognitive States and

Processes

Self-Efficacy, Optimism, & Hope

Wisdom and Courage

Mindfulness, Flow, & Spirituality




Part V: Prosocial Behavior

Altruism, Gratitude, & Forgiveness

Attachment, Love, & Flourishing Relationships




Part VI: Understanding and Changing Human Behavior

Balanced Conceptualizations of Mental Health & Behavior

Interceding to Prevent the Bad and Enhance the Good




Part VII: Positive Environments

Positive Schooling

Gainful Employment

Building Better Communities




Part VIII: A Positive Look at the Future of Psychology

Going Positive



Documents

Chapter One Welcome to Positive Psychology Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths © 2010 SAGE