St Stephen's News

Guidance Counsellors 

Positive Psychology

Greetings to you from the School Counselling Team. We thought we would introduce Positive Psychology as a resource for you and your loved ones. If, like most of us, you would like to change some things in your life, for example be happier, healthier, more content, less anxious, have better relationships, feel a sense of purpose, and basically thrive rather than just survive, then you could take a lot from Positive Psychology to help you make those changes. If you have ever said to yourself, “why am I doing this again”, or “what’s the point anymore”, and feeling like you are on a treadmill or on the set of ‘Ground Hog Day”, then this article may especially be useful.

 

As per the ‘AI’ overview below, which is actually quite useful to be fair, Positive Psychology departs from traditional Psychology in a very key way. While the ‘Positive’ bit may at first sound like a bit of a fluffy-superficial-wishy washy-new age spirituality term, this ‘new’ arm of psychology actually has more to do with ancient philosophies and truths for living a wholesome, energised, meaningful, and purposeful life. One that leads to feelings of gratitude, acceptance, mindfulness, compassion, connection, and contentment, amongst others. Surely a more enjoyable way to live than focusing on problems, difficulties, and mental illness. As per the saying ‘energy flows where attention goes’, Positive Psychology shifts our attention to focus on finding out ‘what works’ so we can develop ourselves and enjoy our lives more fully.

 

We hope you glean something useful from this article, with useful links at the end for your further contemplation.

 

A few final words / phrases, if we may, to hopefully prime your intention –

  • When the adults change, everything changes.
  • Let the change start with me / If it is to be, it starts with me·
  • Please fit your own oxygen mask before assisting others
  • We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing
  • FOMO vs JOMO – Comparison is the thief of joy
  • Know thyself – warts and all

AI Overview

Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life worth living. It focuses on understanding and building human strengths and virtues, promoting well-being, and fostering a life of meaning and purpose. It contrasts with traditional approaches that primarily focus on pathology and mental illness, by emphasizing the positive aspects of human experience and what helps individuals and communities thrive.

 

Here's a more detailed look at positive psychology:

Core Concepts:

  • Flourishing:  Positive psychology explores the factors that contribute to human flourishing, which includes experiencing positive emotions, engaging in meaningful activities, building strong relationships, achieving a sense of accomplishment, and having a sense of purpose.

     

  • Strengths-Based Approach:  It emphasizes identifying and developing individuals' strengths and virtues rather than solely focusing on their weaknesses.

     

  • Well-being:  Positive psychology aims to understand and enhance various dimensions of well-being, including subjective well-being (happiness and life satisfaction), psychological well-being (positive functioning and development), and social well-being (positive social relationships and contributions).

     

  • Resilience:  It also explores how individuals and communities bounce back from adversity and challenges, demonstrating resilience in the face of difficult circumstances.

     

  • The PERMA Model:  A prominent model in positive psychology, PERMA outlines five key elements of well-being: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.

Applications:

  • Therapy and Coaching:  Positive psychology principles are used in therapeutic settings to help individuals build on their strengths, cultivate positive emotions, and develop coping mechanisms for dealing with challenges.

     

  • Education:  Positive psychology is increasingly being incorporated into educational settings to promote student well-being, engagement, and academic success.

     

  • Workplaces:  Positive psychology interventions are being used to create positive work environments, improve employee morale, and enhance organizational performance.

     

  • Healthcare:  Positive psychology principles are being applied in healthcare to promote patient well-being, reduce stress, and enhance recovery.

Key Figures:

  • Martin Seligman:  Often considered the founder of positive psychology, Seligman has made significant contributions to the field through his research on learned helplessness, optimism, and the PERMA model.

     

  • Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi:  Known for his work on flow, Csikszentmihalyi's research explores the state of optimal experience and engagement in activities.

     

  • Christopher Peterson:  Peterson was a prominent researcher in positive psychology, known for his work on character strengths and virtues.

In essence, positive psychology offers a hopeful and optimistic perspective on human potential, focusing on what is right with people and how to cultivate well-being and a meaningful life.

 

Peter Graham, Katharina Lane and Havva Murat-Maksuti

Guidance Counsellors

 

Reference

https://positivepsychology.com/what-is-positive-psychology-definition/ https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Positive-psychology-fact-sheet.pdf 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_psychology · https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/positive-psychology · https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/