Positive Psychology
Here is a list of some of the benefits of positive psychology treatments:
Positive psychology is a relatively new subfield of psychology, which offers a more thorough approach to understanding and improving our quality of life. In addition to combating distress, dysfunction, and illness, applied positive psychology concentrates on cultivating happiness and improving well-being. In its early development, positive psychology was clarified as the following:
The field of positive psychology at the subjective level is about valued subjective experiences: well-being, contentment, and satisfaction (in the past); hope and optimism (for the future); and flow and happiness (in the present). At the individual level, it is about positive individual traits: the capacity for love and vocation, courage, interpersonal skill, aesthetic sensibility, perseverance, forgiveness, originality, future mindedness, spirituality, high talent, and wisdom. At the group level it is about the civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals toward better citizenship: responsibility, nurturance, altruism, civility, moderation, tolerance, and work ethic. (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000, p. 5)
Some conventional medical approaches consider people healthy if they are simply free of disease; however, the tenets of positive psychology suggest that we have a life beyond the absence of disease. It is not simply about addressing what is wrong; when positive psychology is used in psychotherapy, counseling, or coaching settings, the treatments also address what is working and how it can be done even better. The treatments seek to support a baseline level of functioning and then go further by bolstering us up to a level where we are flourishing. Essentially, this approach seeks to help you develop the skills and tools to help yourself. Additionally, this approach assumes that you are your own best expert and are capable of self-improvement.
While unpleasant events are an inevitable fact of life, positive psychology research reveals that only 10% of our happiness is impacted by our life circumstances; who we are and how we manage it affects the rest (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, & Schkade, 2005). Additionally, research suggests that these events offer us an opportunity for further growth, self-improvement, and self-actualization (Joseph & Linley, 2006; Linley & Joseph, 2002). Dwelling on a problematic situation can be just as problematic as ignoring it; however, a lot of the suffering associated with these stressful events can be reduced by using positive psychology skills and techniques to address the issues and move forward. Additionally, these skills and techniques are preventative because they provide resources for addressing future problems. Essentially, it is about empowerment through awareness, education, responsibility, and discerning optimism.
References:
Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2006). Positive therapy: A meta-theory for positive psychological practice. New York: Routledge.
Linley, P. A., & Joseph, S. (2002). Posttraumatic growth. Counseling and Psychotherapy Journal, 13(1), 14-17.
Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9, 111-131.
Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5-14.
- Increased Happiness and Well-being
- Increased Life Satisfaction
- Greater Sense of Meaning in Life
- Improved Relationships
- Greater Enjoyment in Life
- Greater Resilience to Stress
- Improved Work Performance
- Reductions in Stress and Anxiety
- Reductions in Depression
Positive psychology is a relatively new subfield of psychology, which offers a more thorough approach to understanding and improving our quality of life. In addition to combating distress, dysfunction, and illness, applied positive psychology concentrates on cultivating happiness and improving well-being. In its early development, positive psychology was clarified as the following:
The field of positive psychology at the subjective level is about valued subjective experiences: well-being, contentment, and satisfaction (in the past); hope and optimism (for the future); and flow and happiness (in the present). At the individual level, it is about positive individual traits: the capacity for love and vocation, courage, interpersonal skill, aesthetic sensibility, perseverance, forgiveness, originality, future mindedness, spirituality, high talent, and wisdom. At the group level it is about the civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals toward better citizenship: responsibility, nurturance, altruism, civility, moderation, tolerance, and work ethic. (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000, p. 5)
Some conventional medical approaches consider people healthy if they are simply free of disease; however, the tenets of positive psychology suggest that we have a life beyond the absence of disease. It is not simply about addressing what is wrong; when positive psychology is used in psychotherapy, counseling, or coaching settings, the treatments also address what is working and how it can be done even better. The treatments seek to support a baseline level of functioning and then go further by bolstering us up to a level where we are flourishing. Essentially, this approach seeks to help you develop the skills and tools to help yourself. Additionally, this approach assumes that you are your own best expert and are capable of self-improvement.
While unpleasant events are an inevitable fact of life, positive psychology research reveals that only 10% of our happiness is impacted by our life circumstances; who we are and how we manage it affects the rest (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, & Schkade, 2005). Additionally, research suggests that these events offer us an opportunity for further growth, self-improvement, and self-actualization (Joseph & Linley, 2006; Linley & Joseph, 2002). Dwelling on a problematic situation can be just as problematic as ignoring it; however, a lot of the suffering associated with these stressful events can be reduced by using positive psychology skills and techniques to address the issues and move forward. Additionally, these skills and techniques are preventative because they provide resources for addressing future problems. Essentially, it is about empowerment through awareness, education, responsibility, and discerning optimism.
References:
Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2006). Positive therapy: A meta-theory for positive psychological practice. New York: Routledge.
Linley, P. A., & Joseph, S. (2002). Posttraumatic growth. Counseling and Psychotherapy Journal, 13(1), 14-17.
Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9, 111-131.
Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5-14.