Positive Psychology – What Is It and How Can It Benefit You?

As the name suggests, positive psychology and the power of positive thinking tends to focus on and emphasize a person’s strengths and good points, rather than any negative points or weaknesses. It’s a recent movement, having been founded in 2000, by Martin Seligman, a psychologist and author of several self-help books. Positive psychology is not meant to replace more traditional psychology; but rather to supplement it.


Seligman first referred to the concept of positive psychology in 1998, as president of the American Psychological Association, although the term was coined by the humanist and psychologist Abraham Maslow in a 1954 book. The idea behind positive psychology also has its roots in the humanism movement, which emphasized fulfillment, happiness and achievement; and even in religions such as Judaism.


Positive psychology encompasses three different, but related areas, all of which affect a person’s general well-being and influence their overall sense of contentment. The three areas are individual traits, such as talent, character and moral values; individual happiness and fulfillment; and how a person interacts with the institutions that affect them – school, workplace, community and particularly the family.


Seligman also coined the term ‘authentic happiness’, meaning an overall constant state of well-being and contentment, as opposed to occasional moments of happiness. The state of authentic happiness can be best achieved by either being involved in meaningful tasks, or engaging tasks, those that occupy and absorb us. Most of us would agree that we tend to be most content when pursuing an enjoyable and engrossing hobby, or helping others in some way.


Positive psychology and the power of positive thinking can also help to eliminate stress and anxiety from our lives. We all know how unhealthy and stressful it can be to feel angry, impatient or sad. By actively concentrating on more positive feelings, our overall mood – as well as our health – can benefit. Practitioners of practical psychology also point to such ‘feel good’ feelings as optimism and gratitude, as well as the state of ‘mindfulness’ – loosely defined as being content with your life now, preoccupied only with the present and not worrying about the past or future.
In the last decade or so, positive psychology has become increasingly popular and it is practiced in many countries around the world. Rather like the power of positive thinking, positive psychology concentrates on a person’s good points or positive traits in an effort to boost self esteem. Its principles can be applied and used effectively in most everyday situations – at school, in the workplace and at home.