What is Positive Psychology?
In the words of its founder, Martin Seligman, Positive Psychology is the 'scientific study of optimal human functioning that aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive'
It is a move away from the more typical role psychology has played, certainly in the later part of the 20th Century,which has been to focus on 'correcting' mental difficiencies. Positive Pyschology is concerned with
such as areas of human life as; happiness, flow experiences, well-being and flourishing.
Positive Psychology operates at three levels:- Subjective Level, Individual Level and Group Level.
Subjective Level - positive experiences such as joy, well-being, satisfaction, happiness, optimism and flow.
Individual Level - personal qualities that are necessary for being a 'good person' and living a 'good life'.
Group Level - civic virtues, social responsibility, altruism, work ethics, positive organisations.
As we spend around 40 of our 120 waking hours each week at 'work', it is clear that applying the theories of Positive Psychology to the workplace (Group Level) it can have a major impact on the other levels.
This then is my particular reason for an interest and advocacy of Positive Psychology.
It provides a set of scientifically-based principles to guide the reinvention of the workplace, to create more happiness.
