Positive Psychology and Martin Seligman

Answer this question honestly: Would you rather be happy or miserable?

Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at University of Pennsylvania, is the developer and promoter of Positive Psychology. Unlike traditional psychology which, taking a disease model, focuses on victims and pathology; Positive Psychology focuses on the improvement of normal lives.  It serves to help relatively well-adjusted people live happier and more fulfilled lives through positive, pro-active, strength building interventions.

Rather than focusing on disease states, Seligman focuses on identifying positive states in the brain.  Of note, Seligman discovered that what makes happy people happy is an active and meaningful social life, ranging from romantic involvement with an intimate partner to good friends and activities to engage with.

Click here to visit Seligman’s website and learn more about Positive Psychology and take some great questionnaires.

The following videos about Positive Psychology are wonderfully positive, witty, and inspiring:

• In the following video, Seligman gives us a brief yet thorough understanding of Positive Psychology by questioning whether or not conventional psychology “tears the scabs” off of pain and suffering:

• In the following video, Seligman presents us with “Everyday Interventions:”

• In the following video, Seligman discusses “The Three Blessings:”

• In the following video, Seligman gives a thorough and in-depth overview of what Positive Psychology is and is not: