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Positive psychology is among the newest branches of psychology to emerge. This area of psychology focuses on how to assist human beings to lead happy lives and flourish. While many different branches of psychology tend to concentrate on malfunction and abnormal behaviour, positive psychology relies on helping people become happier.

Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Describe positive psychology in another way: “We feel that a psychology of positive human operation will arise that accomplishes a scientific understanding and effective interventions to build flourishing in individuals, families, and communities.”

Over the past twenty years or so curiosity about positive Psychology has grown. More and more people are currently trying to find information. Interest in the subject has increased on college campuses. In 2006, the class on the psychology of Harvard became the most popular course of the university. To comprehend the field of psychology, it’s crucial to begin by learning more about important theories, its history and applications.

History

“Before World War II, psychology had three different missions: curing Mental illness, making the lives of people more productive and satisfying, and identifying and nurturing high ability,” wrote Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi in 2000.

After WWII, psychology’s focus changed into the Priority: treating mental illness and abnormal behaviour. Throughout the 1950s, humanist thinkers like Carl Rogers, Erich Fromm, and Abraham Maslow helped renew interest in the other two regions by creating concepts that focused on happiness as well as the positive facets of human nature.

In 1998, Seligman was elected President of the American Psychological Association And psychology. Now, Seligman is viewed as the father of psychology that was positive that was modern.

In the Global Conference on Psychology, 2002 was held. In Philadelphia, the first World Congress on Psychology took place in 2009 and featured talks.

Important People in the Field

  • Martin Seligman
  • Mihaly
  • Csikszentmihalyi
  • Christopher
  • Peterson Carol Dweck
  • Daniel Gilbert
  • Kennon Sheldon
  • Albert Bandura
  • C.R. Snyder
  • Philip Zimbardo

What It Is (and Is Not )

In a 2008 article printed by Psychology Today, the late Christopher Peterson, author of A Primer in Positive Psychology And professor in the University of Michigan, noted it is crucial to understand what it isn’t and what psychology is.

“Positive psychology is…a call for psychological science and Practice to be concerned with strength as with weakness; as interested in building the best things in life as in fixing the worst; as concerned with making the lives of ordinary people fulfilling as with recovery pathology,” he writes.

He cautioned, however, that psychology Doesn’t involve Ignoring the issues other regions of psychology strive to take care of and that people face. “The value of positive psychology is to complement and expand the problem-focused psychology that’s been dominant for many decades,” he explained.

Major Issues

Some of the issues of interest in psychology include:

  • Happiness
  • Optimism and helplessness
  • Mindfulness
  • Flow
  • Character strengths and virtues
  • Hope
  • Positive thinking
  • Resilience

Research Findings

Some of positive psychology’s findings include:

  • People are usually content.
  • Money does not necessarily purchase well-being, but spending money on other people may make individuals happier.
  • Some of the most effective strategies to fight disappointments and setbacks include strong social relationships and personality strengths.
  • The function can be significant to well-being, particularly when people can engage in work that’s purposeful and meaningful.
  • While happiness is affected by genetics, individuals may learn to be happier by creating optimism, gratitude, and altruism.

Software

Positive psychology may have a range of real-world programs in areas such as education, treatment, self-help, stress management, and workplace difficulties.

Using approaches from psychology, coaches, teachers, Therapists, and help individuals and companies can inspire others Understand and develop their strengths.