Week 8 - Positive Psychology & Flourishing
Origins of Positive Psychology
The phrase was coined by Maslow in 1954, but formally introduced by Martin Seligman in 1998 in his work on learned optimism.
Learned optimism is about how we interpret the world and our power within it
It's not a fixed trait, but something that can be cultivated by challenging, automatic negative thoughts
ABCDE of Learned Optimism
Adversity: The situation or event that triggers negative thoughts
Belief: Your interpretation of the adversity
Consequence: Understanding the emotional and behavioural consequences of those beliefs
Disputation: Challenging beliefs by considering alternative explanations and evidence
Energisation: Noticing the increased energy that results from disputing negative beliefs
How positive psychology contributes to mental health
Interventions have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in clinical populations
Positive psychology techniques build resilience and stress management skills
Positive psychology complements traditional therapeutic approaches
