Positive Psychology

• Positive psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing
• Positive psychology focuses on positive experiences, traits, and institutions
• It aims to improve life quality and prevent negative consequences from a lack of meaning

Elements of Positive Psychology

• Positive experiences help explore and cultivate joy, gratitude, and hope
• Positive traits identify and strengthen virtues like kindness, courage, and resilience
• Positive institutions create environments that support well-being and flourishing

Maslow's View on Health

• Health includes overall well-being that encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of life
• Health is closely tied to personal growth, self-actualization, and reaching one's full potential

Resurgence of Humanistic Psychology

• Humanistic psychology emphasizes personal development, self-actualization, and individual growth
• This psychology shifted focus from pathology and disease to positive qualities

Positive Psychology

• It emerged in the 21st century
• It enhances well-being, and quality of life
• It promotes factors that contribute to human flourishing

Emotional Strengths

• Courage is the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition
• Bravery (Valor) is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation
• Persistence is the ability to keep going despite setbacks or challenges
• Integrity is acting according to your values, being truthful and ethical, even when it's difficult
• Vitality is approaching life with excitement and energy

Interpersonal Strengths

• Humanity encompasses strengths that involve caring for others, building relationships, and nurturing connections
• Love is the capacity to give and receive affection, and to care for others deeply
• Kindness is doing good deeds for others without expecting anything in return
• Social intelligence includes the ability to understand and manage emotions to navigate social interactions

Civic Strengths

• Justice involves strengths that contribute to a healthy, fair, and functioning community
• Citizenship involves being an active, contributing member of society
• It includes working well in groups and fulfilling social responsibilities
• Fairness includes the ability to treat all people equally, making decisions that are free from bias
• Leadership includes the ability to guide and inspire others to achieve goals and maintain a positive environment

Strengths That Protect Against Excess

• Temperance involves strengths that help individuals avoid excess and maintain balance in life
• Forgiveness is the ability to forgive others, even when they have wronged you, and to show compassion
• Humility is the ability to stay grounded, to not seek to take credit for everything, and to acknowledge the value of others
• Prudence includes the ability to think carefully before making decisions and actions, considering potential consequences
• Self-regulation is the ability to manage one's emotions, behaviors, and desires, maintaining balance and discipline

Strengths That Forge Connections

• Transcendence involves strengths that help individuals connect to something greater than themselves
• Transcendence brings a sense of meaning and purpose
• Appreciation includes the ability to notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and virtue in the world around
• Gratitude is the ability to recognize and feel thankful for the positive aspects of life
• Maintaining a positive outlook on the future and expecting good things to happen is hope
• Humor includes the ability to bring joy, laughter, and playfulness to oneself and others
• Spirituality involves the pursuit of meaning in life, whether through religion, faith, or a personal sense of purpose

Signature Strength Questionnaire

• The questionnaire helps identify your top five character strengths by honestly answering questions
• Reflection involves reflecting on how you can use your identified strengths in everyday life
• Identifying ways to use or acknowledge your strengths each day is an example

How to Utilize Our Strengths

• Notice when a strength is being displayed in your actions
• Recognize the specific strength being exhibited
• Articulate how the strength is influencing your behavior and its impact
• Express gratitude for the strength and its value, acknowledging how it benefits you and others

Introduction to Positive Psychology

• Definition: Positive psychology is the study of well-being, focusing on strengths, virtues, and positive experiences
• Goals:
  • To understand what makes life worth living
  • To identify and cultivate positive qualities in individuals and communities

Virtue and Character Strengths

• Virtue - traits contributing to moral excellence and happiness
  • Examples: Courage, Wisdom, Humanity, Justice, Temperance and Transcendence
• Character strengths - Observable qualities or traits linked to moral character
  • Examples: Kindness, Perseverance, Gratitude, etc.

Key concepts of Positive Psychology

• Happiness or wellbeing can be achieved through: satisfying relationships, achieving personal Goals, and fulfilling tasks
• PERMA Model of wellbeing:
  • Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment

Mindfulness

• Mindfulness includes the practice of being present and engaged in the moment without judgement
• Benefits: Reduced stress, improves focus, promotes emotional regulation
• Techniques: deep breathing exercises, body scans, and guided meditations

Flow

• A state of deep concentration and immersion in an activity, leading to fulfillment
• Requirements for Flow: clear goals, balance between skill and challenge, and immediate feedback
• Benefits: enhances personal growth and performance, increases overall well-being.

Strengths and Strengths-Based Approaches

• Focus: Building on existing strengths instead of weakness
• Benefits from Focusing on existing strengths: increases self-esteem, encourages personal growth, enhances overall satisfaction

Application of Positive Psychology

• Practices: Gratitude journaling, acts of kindness, and strengths identification

Positive Psychology In The Workplace

• Promoting employee well-being by creating a culture that values strengths, personal growth, and recognition
• Encouraging engagement by motivating employees to engage in work that aligns with their strengths and passions