Trying to overcome difficulties, people forget that there are good moments in their lives. Perhaps overcoming failures, it makes sense to create happy moments? Or at least change your attitude to the events? This issue deals with positive psychology. But is everything so clear? Can it replace classical psychology? Perhaps this approach simply distracts people from real problem solving? We will read this article positively.
What is positive psychology?
Positive psychology is the science that studies the positive aspects of the human psyche. Despite all the evidence, this direction appeared only in the middle of the last century. The origins of this teaching are rooted in the humanistic psychology. The founder of this approach is a psychologist from the USA Martin Seligman. By the way, in the late nineties, he headed the American Psychological Association. The solemn speech at this event devoted to the issues of positive psychology. In comparison with the usual psychotherapy, it is not aimed at combating pathology, but explores ways to achieve happiness.
It is worth noting that since its inception, this teaching has been regularly criticized. For example, the distortion of reality due to positive illusions, a simplified approach to a variety of issues, and also escaping from problems instead of solving them. Anyway, positive psychology is firmly included in the ideas of the world scientific community, having a number of advantages and rational "grains". Let's talk about them further.
The scientific basis of positive psychology
The formation of positive psychology took place thanks to the work of a number of scientists. Among them: Abraham Maslow, Gordon Allport, Carl Rogers, Ed Diener, John Heydt, Alex Linley, Donald Clifton, etc. The main topics include several large-scale areas:
- Emotions that bring a feeling of happiness (optimism, pleasure, self-reliance, satisfaction, confidence);
- Positive traits (kindness, humor, spirituality, altruism, wisdom);
- External factors that positively influence people (humanism, recognition, value system, social environment).
According to supporters of positive psychology, positive emotions give a person greater competitiveness, improve the quality of his life, expand social ties. Taken together, these factors significantly complement the human toolkit in overcoming difficulties in achieving success. According to the feedback principle, positive thinking attracts good events and good luck to a person’s life.
Despite separate criticism, positive psychology was rather warmly received by the world scientific community. Even created three centers for the study of this phenomenon. One of them is located in Europe, two - in the United States of America.
Center for Positive Psychology (eng. PPC)
Established at the University of Pennsylvania in the USA. The Center is headed by the creator of positive psychology - Martin Seligman. Together with another famous scientist Christopher Peterson, he compiled a list of 24 positive character traits combined into six types (humanity, wisdom, justice, temperance, courage, transcendence). Due to this, a unique test VIA-Survey appeared, which consists of 240 points, helping to realize their advantages.
Gallup Center
Another American center for the introduction of positive psychology, founded by psychologist Donald Clifton. On the basis of this research institution, a questionnaire has also been developed, which is translated into several dozen different languages.
Center for Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP)
This establishment is based in the UK. It is led by Alex Linley, who, together with the team, is studying the application of this science. Created by them questionnaire Realise 2 helps to recognize the strengths of a person and the degree of their manifestation. The focus of research is on the suppression of personality flaws.
The presence of several specialized research centers testifies in favor of the fact that positive psychology is a serious scientific field that deserves careful study. It is not limited to purely theoretical value, allowing you to widely apply their achievements in practice. We will discuss this further.
What is positive psychotherapy
Positive psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy aimed at overcoming intrapersonal conflicts through the development of a person’s abilities. Considering that the creator of the Nossrat Pezeshkian method is a German with Iranian roots, his creation absorbed the rationalism of the West in symbiosis with the wisdom of the East.
Since 1996, positive psychotherapy has been officially recognized by the world community of psychologists, and in 2009 its author was awarded the Nobel Prize.
Nossrat Pezeshkian divided his research into four main blocks:
- Healing - actually psychotherapy;
- Pedagogical - education of the individual and the prevention of deviations;
- Transcultural-social - intercultural consciousness;
- Interdisciplinary - interaction with other psychological sciences.
A positive approach to the treatment of human mental illness, together with the prevention of their occurrence, made this method one of the most popular in the world.
Apply the methods of positive psychology can be independently.
Receptions of positive psychology for every day
The toolkit of this science is diverse, but for everyday use it is enough to master three methods:
- Self-suggestion method;
- Method of questions;
- Bracelet method.
Consider them separately.
Self-suggestion method
This approach is also called affirmations. They are short positive phrases that help to change negative mental attitudes for positive emotions. For example, "It is pleasant for people to communicate with me", "I am successful", "I am a valuable employee", etc. Based on the feedback principle, positive statements begin to attract a positive person.
Method of questions
Also known as afformation, that is, questions asked in a positive way. Thanks to them, you can rephrase the statements voiced earlier. "Why do people like to communicate with me?" etc. This method helps to activate thinking in the direction of searching for your strengths. By the way, the positive effect of the use of afformations is achieved much faster. Finding answers, a person confirms his affirmations, thereby starting to believe in them more strongly.
Bracelet method
Helps to overcome bad habits or weaknesses. It is recommended to wear a bracelet, symbolizing its flaw, without removing it, until the habit changes. This method activates the proactivity of a person, shows him that it is necessary to take responsibility for his life on himself. Demonstrates that the lack of extra and just need to "remove."
Positive psychology, unlike many academic disciplines, is a science for every day. It helps to always be in a state of mental balance, to believe in oneself, to overcome difficulties. For its use is not necessary outside assistance. It is enough to master several techniques and regularly apply them, filling life with a feeling of joy and happiness.
