Positive Psychology

 

Psychology and psychotherapies have predominantly focused on mental dysfunction (i.e. mental illness, maladaptive behaviour and negative thinking) rather than examining how ordinary people can live a happier and more fulfilling life.  In the last two decades, psychologists such as Martin Seligman, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Christopher Peterson and many others have been building on the humanistic movement which emphasizes on well-being, happiness and positivity, thus laying the foundation of positive psychology as a new psychological domain.

 

One of the most frequently quoted definitions of positive psychology is:

 

"… the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels that include the biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions of life.” (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000)

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The field of positive psychology study and practice focuses on understanding how to enable individuals and communities to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to encourage the unleashing of latent potential (also referred to as signature strengths by Seligman) within themselves, and to enhance their well-being in love, play, learn, and work.  According to researchers, positive psychology studies typically focus on issues that include positive experiences, positive psychological traits, positive relationships, and positive institutions.

 

In positive psychology practices, the guiding theoretical models are P.E.R.M.A. theory (Seligman, 2011), the theory of flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), and the Character Strengths and Virtues (Peterson & Seligman, 2004).

 

The P.E.R.M.A. theory (Seligman, 2011) suggests that the holistic nurturing of the five measurable elements, namely (1) Positive emotion, (2) Engagement, (3) Relationship, (4) Meaning, and (5) Achievement, contribute to people’s happiness and fulfilment in lives.  

 

Colloquially, the theory of flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990) can be interpreted as a person being in “the zone”.  Essentially, flow is the mental state of operation in which a person functions at full immersion of energized focus where the person’s abilities are well-matched to the challenges in hand.  Flow is characterized as complete absorption; intense concentration; loss of self-awareness; and a resulting loss in one’s sense of space and time.  Flow is intrinsically rewarding in the achievement of goals or skills improvement.

 

The Character Strengths and Virtues (CSV model) is more concerned with the positive psychological traits that can assist in the understanding and building of strengths and virtues for developing practical applications in positive psychology (Peterson & Seligman, 2004).  The CSV model comprises six virtues, namely:

1. Wisdom

2. Courage

3. Transcendence

4. Humanity

5. Justice

6. Temperance

 

From the six virtues, 24 measurable strengths are described:

1. Wisdom: (a) creativity, (b) curiosity, (c) judgment, (d) love of learning, (e) perspective;

2. Courage: (f) bravery, (g) persistence, (h) honesty, (i) zest;

3. Transcendence: (j) appreciation of beauty and excellence, (k) gratitude, (l) hope, (m) humour, (n) spirituality;

4. Humanity: (o) love, (p) kindness, (q) social intelligence;

5. Justice: (r) teamwork, (s) fairness, (t) leadership; and

6. Temperance: (u) forgiveness, (v) humility, (w) prudence, (x) self-regulation.

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A critical assumption of positive psychology posits this new psychological domain as complementary to the traditional areas of psychology rather than replacing or ignoring them. 

 

References:

 

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990).  Flow: The psychology of optimal experience.  New York, NY: Harper & Row.

 

Peterson, C. & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004).  Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification.  Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Seligman, M. E. P. (2011).  Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being.  New York, NY: Free Press.

 

Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000).  Positive Psychology: An introduction.  American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14.  doi:10.1037/0003-066x.55.1.5