Positive Psychology

Background

Positive psychology made its formal placement in the psychology field along with the presidential ship of Martin Seligman. Since then theoretical foundation is being led, experimental results are building and its applicability is booming. However, the predecessor of positive psychology can be termed to humanistic psychology as Seligman himself agrees upon incorporating few notions from humanistic approach too. Yet along with the emergence of positive psychology, there has been few skepticism and contradictions it has to face with medical modal of psychology, to which Seligman has justified with following metaphor.

If a rose gardener wants to grow roses, he can’t grow it just by clearing the weeds, he needs to plant rose. So the medical model of psychology has been half filled vessel, which has been fulfilled by positive psychology.

Components of positive psychology

1. Learned optimism

2. Authentic happiness

3. Signature strength

Positive Psychology in Practice

1.     Gratitude visit

2.     Buffering suffering

3.     Grafting on therapy skills

Conclusion

Many years back, when positive psychology movement had not begun, Seligman was travelling in an airplane and his seatmate asked him what he does, he said, ‘I am a psychologist, I find out what is wrong with people’. Hearing this, the man moved away from him. At present, when someone asks him what he does, he works on to find out the best in people, everyone moves towards him, thus we can see from this life situation of father of positive psychology that positive psychology is the best revolution ever happened in the field of psychology.