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The Definition of Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing and optimal functioning. It aims to understand positive emotions, strengths-based traits, and institutions that allow individuals and communities to thrive. The science operates on three levels - studying positive subjective experiences; identifying character strengths and virtues; and examining civic responsibilities and factors that aid social development. Positive psychology differs from positive thinking in that it is evidence-based and offers a variety of tools, drawing from research on human potential and factors that build resilience.

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Ferl Diane Siño
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81 views2 pages

The Definition of Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing and optimal functioning. It aims to understand positive emotions, strengths-based traits, and institutions that allow individuals and communities to thrive. The science operates on three levels - studying positive subjective experiences; identifying character strengths and virtues; and examining civic responsibilities and factors that aid social development. Positive psychology differs from positive thinking in that it is evidence-based and offers a variety of tools, drawing from research on human potential and factors that build resilience.

Uploaded by

Ferl Diane Siño
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Definition of Positive Psychology

 Positive psychology is a science of positive aspects of human life, such as happiness,


well-being and flourishing.
 According to Martin Seligman, it is a scientific study of optimal human functioning that
aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive
 “Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living.”
(Peterson, 2008)
 Positive psychology is a scientific approach to studying human thoughts, feelings, and
behavior with a focus on strengths instead of weakness, building the good in life instead
of repairing the bad, and taking the lives of average people up to “great” instead of
focusing solely on moving those who are struggling up to “normal” (Peterson, 2008).
 Positive psychology focuses on the positive events and influences in life, including:
Positive experiences (like happiness, joy, inspiration, and love) Positive states and traits
(like gratitude, resilience, and compassion)

Three Levels of Positive Psychology

The science of positive psychology operates on three different levels – the subjective level, the
individual level and the group level.

1. The subjective level includes the study of positive experiences such as joy, well-being,
satisfaction, contentment, happiness, optimism and flow. This level is about feeling good, rather
than doing good or being a good person.
2. At the next level, the aim is to identify the constituents of the ‘good life’ and the personal
qualities that are necessary for being a ‘good person’, through studying human strengths and
virtues, future-mindedness, capacity for love, courage, perseverance, forgiveness, originality,
wisdom, interpersonal skills and giftedness.
3. Finally, at the group or community level, the emphasis is on civic virtues, social
responsibilities, nurturance, altruism, civility, tolerance, work ethics, positive institutions and
other factors that contribute to the development of citizenship and communities

How It Differs From Positive Thinking

Positive psychology can be easily confused with the idea of positive thinking. However, there are
several important differences, including: Positive thinking emphasizes positivity in all situations,
whereas positive psychology offers a variety of tools for success. Positive psychology draws
from the knowledge of experts who have studied depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
Positive psychology is evidence-based, meaning it is based on research.

Benefits:

•Increase focus and engagement

•Create greater productivity

•Build resilience in challenging situations

•Improve well-being

•Raise life satisfaction

•Achieve goals more effectively

•Decrease sick days

How:

1.Express your heart.

2. Cultivate kindness

3. Keep moving and eat well.

4. Find your flow.

5. Discovering meaning

6. Discover and use your strengths.

7. Treasure gratitude, mindfulness and hope.

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