Positive Psychology
What is positive psychology?
Positive psychology as a distinct movement was born in 1998 when Martin Seligman took over the APA presidency and declared that psychology had focused too much on pathology and not enough on what makes people flourish.
Three pillars
Seligman distinguishes three areas: 1) Positive emotions (joy, gratitude, hope), 2) Positive traits (character strengths β courage, wisdom, kindness), 3) Positive institutions (families, schools, workplaces that support growth).
PERMA model
Seligman's extended wellbeing model: Positive emotions, Engagement (flow), Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment.
Key measures
PWB (Psychological Wellbeing Scales, Ryff 1989), SWLS (Satisfaction With Life Scale, Diener 1985), GQ-6 (Gratitude Questionnaire, McCullough 2002), GSES (Schwarzer & Jerusalem 1995), VIA-IS (Values in Action Inventory of Strengths, Peterson & Seligman).
Interventions
Evidence-based: gratitude exercises (3 good things daily), using strengths in a new way, acts of kindness, mindfulness. Effects are modest but real β meta-analyses show d ~0.3.