Postive Psychology

1. What is Positive Psychology?

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on understanding what makes life meaningful, fulfilling, and enjoyable. Instead of looking only at problems or mental illness, it explores human strengths, positive emotions, resilience, and the factors that help people thrive. Its goal is to study the science of well-being and help individuals build happier, healthier lives. Positive psychology does not replace traditional therapy but adds tools that help people flourish, feel connected, and experience purpose.

2. How Does It Work?

Positive psychology works by identifying and strengthening the qualities that already support well-being. This can include helping people recognise their personal strengths, teaching practices like gratitude or mindfulness, encouraging meaningful goals, and building strong relationships. It also uses research-based models such as the PERMA framework

(Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) to guide people toward balanced and fulfilling lives. In short, it helps individuals focus on what’s going well and how to build more of it.

3. Where Did It Come From?

Although ideas about flourishing and meaning have existed since ancient philosophy, modern positive psychology began in 1998 when Martin Seligman, then president of the American Psychological Association, called for a shift in psychology toward studying strengths in addition to treating illness. Seligman, alongside Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (known for the theory of “flow”), helped establish positive psychology as a scientific field. Earlier influences include humanistic psychologists like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, who explored growth, potential, and self-actualisation.

4. How Is It Used?

Positive psychology is used in many areas to improve well-being. In everyday life, people use it through practices such as gratitude journaling, mindfulness, acts of kindness, and strengths-based goal setting. In counselling and therapy, it helps clients build resilience, find meaning, improve relationships, and identify their strengths. It is also widely used in schools, workplaces, coaching, and community programmes to enhance motivation, engagement, confidence, and emotional health.

5. Useful Books

For more information on positive psychology, here are some books for further reading.

• “Flourish” – Martin Seligman

  An accessible overview of the PERMA model and modern positive psychology.

  
  

• “The How of Happiness” – Sonja Lyubomirsky

  A practical guide filled with evidence-based happiness strategies.

  
  

• “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience” – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

  Explores how deep engagement improves happiness and performance.

  
  

• “Character Strengths and Virtues” – Peterson & Seligman

  The foundational text for strengths-based work (more academic).

  
  

• “The Happiness Advantage” – Shawn Achor

  Focuses on positive psychology in schools, workplaces, and daily habits.