Define positive psychology and describe its origin. What does it focus on? How does it differ from the rest of psychology?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

There is burgeoning activity in an area of psychology with deep historical traditions (e.g., humanistic psychology) that has been somewhat dormant until more recently. This focus, called positive psychology is a field of study that examines what goes right with us rather than what goes wrong. Martin P. Seligman, speaking in 1998 as the president of the American Psychological Association, urged psychologists to get back to their roots of focusing on psychological strengths rather than psychological problems. He called this focus positive psychology. In many ways Seligman's call for psychology mirrors that of Antonovky's for health. By studying the positive side of stress, we can learn its upside and apply it to our health and well-being.

Positive psychology can be understood as a field with three related areas of study that include positive trait characteristics (e.g., virtues, strengths, talents, and values), positive subjective experiences (e.g., fulfillment, happiness, gratification, and satisfaction), and positive institutions (e.g., families, communities, schools, and organizations) (Peterson, 2006). It encompasses a wide range of themes but has a major focus on the study of the good life. Such a focus examines the elements that constitute a fulfilling life, a life well-lived.