Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing, and an applied approach to optimal functioning. The field has also been defined as the study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals, communities and organisations to thrive (Gable & Haidt, 2005, Sheldon & King, 2001)

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the self-help section of the bookstore. I love the idea that as humans, we are in control of our lives and have the ability to reframe our perspective and optimize our functioning. My minor studying Integrative Approaches to Health and Wellness has allowed me to explore this interest and introduced me to the field of positive psychology. I have provided the resources that I have personally found to be most insightful below.

A New Era of Pysch

This TED Talk was given in 2004 by Martin Seligman, founder of Positive Psychology. Seligman discusses the exciting shift in the psychology field as it is going beyond purely studying disease and examines the potential of modern pysch to help the human race thrive.

The How of Happiness

Last semester I had the wonderful opportunity to take Positive Psychology (Psychology 2303) with Jennifer Cheavens, and she required us to purchase The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky. I would recommend this class AND this book 100% to anyone looking to live their life even just a tiny bit better. This is not some voodoo fantasy land inspirational quote self-help scrapbook but rather an evidence-based guide to understanding what makes us happy.

Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania 

Penn Arts and Sciences has an entire center dedicated to the field of positive psychology. The center serves , “to promote research, training, education, and the dissemination of Positive Psychology, resilience and grit”. Check out their website below!

https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu

The American Psychological Association Perspective

The APA was not ready to accept this emerging field without concrete research-based evidence, however. This article explains that, “Applications of positive psychology are moving ahead fast and furiously, but some question whether the interventions are outpacing the science”.

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/04/positive-psychology

Should We Trust Positive Psychology?

Robert Biswas-Diener, Ph.D., author of The Courage Quotient and Happiness, has conducted extensive research on happiness. In this article for the Greater Good Magazine at UC Berkley, the researcher examines a potential crisis (or perhaps opportunity?) within this growing field.

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/should_we_trust_positive_psychology