What is positive psychology?

Positive psychology is the part of psychology that looks at personal well-being, seen as a point of reference for quality of life. Traditional psychology generally focuses on dysfunction and problems, whereas positive psychology focuses on how to make a person’s life happier by looking at what gives life meaning and purpose.

Positive psychology also includes the improvement of the individual's personal psychological skills with the aim of improving the quality of life. Positive psychology focuses on helping people to be happier, to achieve more success in their private and professional lives and to reach their fullest potential.

Positive psychology is a technique used by specialist psychologists.

Main purposes of positive psychology

The main objective of positive psychology is to make the life of the individual more productive and satisfying, by strengthening their own resources that help them to grow. Everything lies in identifying the balance between perceived personal abilities and the contexts in which they develop, thus avoiding the emergence of situations of anxiety or boredom in the short-term, and of unsatisfactory or meaningless lives in the long-term.

In the real world, positive psychology is applied in several fields, including education, therapy, personal initiative, stress management and problems at work. Thanks to the strategies and methods of positive psychology, teachers, therapists and employers can put into practice motivational techniques to stimulate people to discover and develop their strengths. The main themes in positive psychology are happiness, optimism, awareness, hope, strengths and positive thinking.

Generally, positive psychology will work in conjunction with clinical psychology.

What are the key principles of positive psychology?

Some of the key principles adopted in the positive psychology approach include:

• Positive emotions

  Positive psychology places an emphasis on emotions such as joy, gratitude, contentment, and love. It explores how these emotions contribute to the overall well-being. 

• Strengths and virtues

  Positive psychologists are interested in identifying and cultivating individual strengths and virtues such as courage, wisdom, kindness, and creativity.

• Resilience and coping

  This examines how a person can develop resilience in the face of challenges and adversity, helping them to bounce back and thrive. 

• Meaning and purpose

  Positive psychology explores the quest for a sense of purpose, and how having a clear sense of meaning in life can lead to greater satisfaction and well-being. 

• Positive relationships

  This emphasises the importance of healthy, supportive relationships in contributing to overall happiness and well-being. 

• Quality of life and subjective well-being

  Positive psychology looks at factors that contribute to a high quality of life, as well as how a person subjectively perceives their own well-being.

• Mindfulness and flow

  This explores practices like mindfulness and experiencing "flow" (a state of complete absorption and focus) as ways to enhance well-being.

• Gratitude and appreciation

  Positive psychology plasces importance on cultivating gratitude and appreciating the positive aspects of life. 

• Optimal functioning

  This seeks to understand how a person can achieve their fullest potential and live a life that aligns with their values and aspirations. 

If you wish to book an appointment with a positive psychology specialist, find the ones listed on the Top Doctors website here.