Positive psychology

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Positive psychology is a term coined by Abraham Maslow and adopted by psychologist Martin E.P. Seligman, and a movement in psychology which emphasizes what is right with people rather than what is wrong with them.

Psychology tends to be about negative things - e.g., anxiety, depression, stress. It is typified by the DSM-IV, a systematic categorization of mental illnesses. Positive Psychology is an attempt to redress the balance, to encourage psychologists to try to contribute to positive aspects of life, not just do something about negative things. One of its recent accomplishments is having produced an "un-DSM," a manual of strengths and virtues that are found in the happiest people. The ultimate aim of Positive Psychology is to enable more people to live lives filled with greater health and well-being (as well as the absence of illness and disease), which is a state of "Flourishing" as defined by the sociologist/social psychologist, Corey L. M. Keyes.

An important feature of Positive Psychology is its rejection of moral relativism. This is based on the observation that certain character traits and ways of acting are considered good by the vast majority of cultures. It is also observed that these traits lead to increased happiness when practiced.In its rejection of Cultural Relativism Positive Psycholgy challenges us to accept Universal Values as applicable to all societies.

Another important feature is a distinction between physical pleasure and the gratification of becoming lost in the flow of a task that engages one's abilities.

[edit] References Petersen, C. and Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Washington, D.C.: APA Press and Oxford University Press. [edit] See also Psychological resilience [edit] External links Positive Psychology Webpage European Network for Positive Psychology Italian Society of Positive Psychology Webpage Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_psychology" Categories: Psychological schools | Psychology