Definition of Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology Definition: Positive psychology is “the science of positive emotions, thoughts, and experiences.”
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Until the mid 1990s, psychology PhDs rarely studied positive emotions. Psychology was almost exclusively focused on negative thoughts and behavior.
The exception being the study of romantic love and relationships, but that only began in earnest as recently as the 1980s.
Martin Seligman is widely credited as the founder of positive psychology.
Do Your Own Positive Psychology-Based Personal Happiness Project
If you’re a positive psychology student and interested in doing your own happiness project using positive psychology techniques, try doing your own positive psychology-based happiness project using my program, Positive Psychology for Beginners.
It’s an email series. You’ll get 15 daily email across three weeks (weekends off). You’ll get to road test using Positive Psychology techniques in a way that’s more fun than reading a book. It covers some of the most popular topics in positive psychology, including: savoring, hope & optimism, gratitude, curiosity, zest, and learning about your signature strengths.
Increasing positive emotions leads to increased expansiveness and flexibility of thinking so it’s great for students and professionals.
If you liked this Positive Psychology Definition, you can also follow how I use positive psychology in my own life via my Facebook. I often do 30 Day Projects in which I try out techniques from positive psychology. Come introduce yourself on Facebook
But, the best way to get an overview of positive psychology techniques, especially as a complement to taking college classes in psychology, is to try Positive Psychology for Beginners. It’s designed to help you find your favorite positive psychology techniques. Research has shown that the techniques help more when people are more motivated/interested in that specific tool. Around 40% of our happiness is determined by our intentional activities, that’s the amount you can influence, and using simple positive psychology techniques is a great way to increase your personal happiness, clarity of thinking, and sense of meaning in life.
