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Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology
A starting place
Martin Seligman APA President 1996 Psychology split into two camps: Academics more interested in science. Clinicians interested in practice of psychotherapy. Hoped to bring science and practice together.
An epiphany
Seligman resolved to change. His purpose in life was not to correct his daughter s shortcomings. Instead, raising her to nurture the strength she displayed (social intelligence). Can psychological science be about identifying and nurturing strengths? His mission as APA president.
Directive Therapy
Dogs that had been exposed to inescapable shock. Remove barrier and push them to safe side. Reinstall barrier and force them over it. Eventually learn to jump.
Prevention of Helplessness
Seligman suggests the best prevention for helplessness is early experience with mastery. Based on life histories of people who were resilient in situations likely to cause helplessness. SelfSelf-efficacy, competence already in existence. Served as a buffer.
Human strengths
Despite all the difficulties of life, majority of people manage to live with dignity and purpose. Positive psychology adopts a more optimistic perspective on human potential, motives, and capacities. Humanistic psychology with scientific methods.
Positive institutions
Develop and sustain institutions that enrich human potential. Healthy families Work environments. Schools. Whole communities. Reduce high risk behavior by punishing or supporting alternatives.
Education programs
After war, seemed more appropriate to focus on helping children with developmental disabilities. Gifted programs encouraged but not funded. Exceptional children are on both ends of the spectrum. Nurture genius and talents as well.
Expand focus
Positive psychology supports efforts to eliminate social problems such as drug abuse, criminal behavior and mental illness. Study the protective factors as well as the risk factors. Positive emotions and traits that could be used to combat problems.
Humanistic Psychology
Positive side Optimistic view of humankind. Human abilities. Growth potential. Healthy personality. Pyramid of needs Negative side NonNon-scientific. Philosophy rather than psychology. Need evidence to support beliefs. SelfSelf-actualizers rare. Practical applications.