POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY is the “scientific study of optimal human functioning... to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive.” The official definition comes from co-founders Profs Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who wanted to challenge the direction that psychology was going in. The field was established to investigate the positive side of our psychology – our thoughts, feelings and behaviour and how they can contribute to the greater good. The aim is to help workplaces, communities and nations to function optimally.
This branch of science seeks to answer questions such as what makes us happy? What does it take to flourish? What gives meaning to life? What are the ingredients of a good life? How can we perform at our best? What are the characteristics of a positive leader?
Positive psychology has evolved with neuroscience and has evidenced a range of practices, underpinned by science, that help people to feel good, function well and flourish. Core elements in positive psychology include happiness, flow, wellbeing, resilience, strengths, positivity, optimism, hope, mindsets, motivation, goals and achievement. It is an applied science – qualified positive psychologists are typically graduates of the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP). As practitioners we use coaching and groupwork as the methods and strengths as the toolkit to help people thrive. Neuroscience has shown us that the brain can evolve, change and adapt over time and that neuroplasticity is present throughout our lifespan. Our minds are malleable – more flexible than they are fixed. We can use the neuroscience to develop a more positive mindset and enjoy the benefits of optimal functioning.
First Wave Positive Psychology
Positive psychology was officially launched in 1998 when Prof Martin Seligman became the president of the American Psychological Association (APA). The first wave sought to rebalance psychology at a time when the ratio of studies of depression to happiness was around 72 to 1. The first wave was best known as the science of happiness and focused on positive phenomena including emotions, traits, cognitions, behaviours and organisations.
Second Wave Positive Psychology
The second wave emerged in the 2010s and is symbolised by the yin and the yang to represent the symbiotic relationship between positive and negative and their interaction. How there can be a positive in the negative, for example, how dissatisfaction with life can act as a catalyst for change. And equally a negative in the positive. Love, for example, is considered to be our supreme emotion but the shadow side is that it can lead us to tolerate toxic individuals.
Third Wave Positive Psychology
We are now in the third wave of positive psychology and the theme is broadening; in the focus of inquiry, in methodologies, in culture and through collaboration with other fields. Whereas the first wave was focused more on personal wellbeing, the 3rd wave has broadened into wider planetary wellbeing, for example, with peace studies. (Image (c) Lomas et al, 2020)
Find out more. The Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania is where it began. Here’s a great overview of Positive Psychology from Sandip Roy of the Happy Project. Or watch this 5-minute animated summary.
