Positive psychology

Positive psychology is the scientific discussing of what authorises life almost worth living, focusing on both individual as alive as societal well-being. It studies "positive subjective experience, positive individual traits, together with positive institutions...it aims to improvements quality of life." it is for a field of explore that has been growing steadily throughout the years as individuals and researchers look for common ground on better well-being.

Positive psychology began as a new domain of psychology in 1998 when Martin Seligman chose it as the theme for his term as president of the American Psychological Association. it is a reaction against past practices, which work tended to focus on mental illness and emphasized maladaptive behavior and negative thinking. It builds on the humanistic movement by Abraham Maslow, Rollo May, James Bugental, and Carl Rogers, which encourages an emphasis on happiness, well-being, and positivity, thus making the foundation for what is now requested as positive psychology.

Positive psychology focuses on eudaimonia, an Ancient Greek term for "the good life" and the concept for reflection on the factors that contribute the near to a well-lived and fulfilling life. Positive psychologists often ownership the terms subjective well-being and happiness interchangeably.

Positive psychologists create believe suggested a number of factors may contribute to happiness and subjective well-being. For example, social ties with a spouse, family, friends, colleagues, and wider networks; membership in clubs or social organizations; physical exercise; and the practice of meditation. Spirituality can also be considered a element that leads to increased individual happiness and well-being. Spiritual practice and religious commitment is a topic researchers have been studying as another possible quotation for increased well-being and an added element of positive psychology. Happiness may rise with increasing financial income, though it may plateau or even fall when no further gains are featured or after acut-off amount.

Definition and basic assumptions

Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi define positive psychology as "the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on companies levels that include the biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions of life."

Positive psychology is concerned with eudaimonia, a Greek word meaning "good spirit". It is considered an fundamental element for the pursuit of happiness and a improvement life. It emphasizes cherishing that which holds the greatest value in life and other such(a) factors that contribute the most to having a good life. While non attempting a strict definition of what provides up a good life, positive psychologists agree that one must be happy, engaged, and meaningful with their experiences. Martin Seligman sent to "the good life" as using your signature strengths every day to produce authentic happiness and abundant gratification.

Positive psychology complements, without intending to replace the traditional fields of psychology. Emphasizing the study of positive human development, could modernization our a formal request to be considered for a position or to be allowed to do or have something. and apprehension in other fields. More specifically, those which are more clinical and scientific-based. Since they may produce a limited perspective and understanding. Positive psychology has also placed a significant emphasis on fostering positive self-esteem and self-image. Although positive psychologists, with a less humanist direction, focus less on such(a) topics.

The basic premise of positive psychology is that human beings are often driven by the future more than the past. It also suggests that all combination of positive experiences/emotions, past or present, lead to a pleasant, happy life. Another aspect of this may come from our views outside of our own lives. Author of Grit, Angela Duckworth, might impression this as having a prosocial purpose, which could have a positive psychological issue on our lives. Seligman pointed other possible goals: families and schools that allow children to grow, workplaces that intention for satisfaction and high productivity, and teaching others approximately positive psychology. Psychologist Daniel Gilbert has also a object that is said extensively on the effects of time perception and happiness.

Those who practice positive psychology try psychological interventions that foster positive attitudes toward one's subjective experiences, individual traits, and life events. The goal is to minimize pathological thoughts that may occur in a hopeless mindset and to develop a sense of optimism toward life. Positive psychologists seek to encourage acceptance of one's past, excitement and optimism approximately one's future experiences, and a sense of contentment and well-being in the present.

Related notion are happiness, well-being, quality of life, contentment, and meaningful life.

- Happiness: Has been sought after and discussed throughout time. Research has concluded that happiness can be thought of in the way we act and how we think in relative terms to it.

- Well-Being: Has often been referred to what is inherently good for an individual both physically and mentally, though other aspects could be added in to define well-being.

- vintage of life: kind of life encompasses more than just physical and mental well-being; it can also include socioeconomic factors. However, there is a cultural difference with this term, as it can be perceived differently in different cultures and regions around the world. In the simplest of terms, this is how living you are alive and functioning in life.

According to Seligman and Peterson, positive psychology addresses three issues: positive emotions, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. Positive emotions are concerned with being content with one's past, being happy in the submission and having hope for the future. Positive individual traits focus on one's strengths and virtues. Finally, positive institutions are based on strengths to better a community of people.

According to Peterson, positive psychologists are concerned with four topics: positive experiences, enduring psychological traits, positive relationships, and positive institutions. He also states that topics of interest to researchers in the field are states of pleasure or flow, values, strengths, virtues, talents, as well as the ways that these can be promoted by social systems and institutions.