Positive psychology is the scientific study of the factors and behaviours which build wellbeing and human flourishing.
The field is grounded in the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.
The scientific field was born in 1998 when the then president of the American Psychological Association, Martin Seligman, urged psychologists to return to the original mission of psychology - that existed before World War II - which was dedicated to:
Treating mental illness;
Making life productive and fulfilling; and
Identifying and nurturing strengths and talent.
Following the devastation of the world wars, the focus of psychology turned almost exclusively towards understanding and treating mental illness.
This focus was incredibly beneficial. More than 14 previously incurable disorders were scientifically researched, and treatments to cure or relieve the symptoms were found. However, it resulted in a severe lack of focus on research and the promotion of what builds mental wellbeing and assets.
This realisation resulted in the scientific study of positive psychology and what allows humans to ‘flourish’; a term used to describe optimal human functioning.
When flourishing, an individual is:
Experiencing high levels of positive emotions.
Actively engaged in life and experiencing states of flow.
Experiencing a deep sense of meaning and purpose.
Engaging in positive and fulfilling relationships.
Pursuing personally meaningful goals which contribute to a true sense of achievement and accomplishment.
As a Positive Psychology Coach, my role is to have an intimate understanding of the science of positive psychology and the factors which promote + build wellbeing and flourishing, to support you to identify how you can authentically and sustainably experience them in your life.
So while there is plenty of overlap, positive psychology is different from other areas of psychology due to its primary interest in identifying and building mental assets and wellbeing, as opposed to addressing mental ill-health.
Traditionally in psychology, the focus has been on identifying and treating mental ill-health which is critically important however, it provides an incomplete picture of mental health.
Positive psychology shifts the focus from what is clinically wrong, to the cultivation of wellbeing and flourishing which has resulted in the science and practice of psychology having a holistic view of mental health since the early 2000s.
Are you interested in building your wellbeing by adopting the science of positive psychology? This is exactly what we do in 1:1 and Couples Positive Psychology Coaching. Click below to contact me and I’ll be in contact within 24 hours. I’d love to connect with you and support your authentic wellbeing.
References:
Gable, S. L., & Haidt, J. (2005). What (and Why) is Positive Psychology? Review of General Psychology, 9 (2), 103–110.
Keyes, C. (2002). The Mental Health Continuum: From Languishing to Flourishing in Life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43 (2), 207–222.
Myers, D. G. (2015) Emotions, stress, and health. In D. G. Myers (Ed.), Psychology (11th ed.). Scott-Foresman.
Peterson, C. (2008). What is positive psychology, and what is it not? Psychology Today.
Positive Psychology Centre (2022). https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/
Seligman, M. (2019). Positive psychology: A personal history. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15, 1–23.
Seligman, M. & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55 (1), 5–14.