What is positive psychology?
The study of positive psychology began in 1970, with Martin Seligman, considered the precursor of this branch. There was, until then, in the fields of psychology and neuroscience , a large volume of research and data regarding problems such as depression, anxiety and neuroses, but little was studied about the opposite of these problems and about how states of joy and comfort impacted life. of patients.
If psychology is the science that studies human processes and behaviors, positive psychology is one that focuses on positive emotions and reactions — as the name already makes clear —: the study of happiness.
This branch of psychology is dedicated to studying the lighter and healthier elements and relationships of each individual, thus strengthening aspects such as resilience, gratitude, optimism and trust, without having as an object of study anguish, illness and psychic suffering. This does not mean that positive psychology has no foundation, analysis and studies or that it is a frivolous form of treatment.
How Positive Psychology works
Asking what goes wrong and what doesn’t gets people used to focusing on the negative aspects of their lives.
On the other hand, when investigating what is going well, people direct their eyes to a more positive field.
The objective of Positive Psychology is to enable a transformation in Psychology, leaving the concern to repair what is bad for the construction of what promotes well-being and quality of life.
It’s not about ignoring what doesn’t work. It’s about highlighting and valuing what is working well.
For that reason, his study is focused on happiness, on how people can become more satisfied. Instead of focusing on dysfunctions and weaknesses, they focus on what is functional and strong .
In less than a decade, Positive Psychology has caught the attention not only of the academic community but of the general public.
It is important to note that, as a science, it does not rule out people’s real problems in the same way that it does not contradict traditional branches of Psychology.
What is happiness for positive psychology?
There are several definitions for the term “happiness”. In positive psychology, it is called “subjective well-being”, referring to what the individual thinks and feels about his own life.
Subjective well-being is not restricted to the absence of negative factors, it also encompasses positive aspects. It is also a global measure, which is not limited to just one aspect of life.
To understand subjective well-being, psychologists Carol Ryff and Corey Lee M. Keyes described a six-component multidimensional model of positive psychological functioning in 1995:
- Self- acceptance: positive evaluation of oneself and the previous period of life;
- Personal growth: perception of continuous development as an individual;
- Sense: belief that life has a purpose and meaning;
- Positive relationships with others: maintains quality interpersonal relationships;
- Mastery of the environment: versatility to deal with aspects of life and the world around;
- Autonomy: feeling of self-determination.
Checking the degree of your subjective well-being involves self-knowledge and self-assessment tests, such as the Life Satisfaction Scale (ESV). A number of statements need to be evaluated, such as “up until today, I’ve achieved the most important things I want in life” and “if I could live my life over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
What are the elements of positive psychology?
The positive psychology model is structured around five elements that catalyze well-being and happiness, which form the acronym PERMA. Are they!
Positive Emotions
The first of the five elements is positive emotion. It is directly related to the production of the so-called happiness hormones (dopamine and oxytocin), which are released in our body when we feel peace, comfort, gratitude, satisfaction, acceptance, pleasure, inspiration, hope, curiosity or love.
These positive emotions help our minds to understand what kind of situation is good for us and are also multipliers. Just think about how someone happy and grateful ends up conveying that feeling to those around them.
Engagement
Energy, dedication and integration are the three main factors measured by the “engagement” element within the framework of positive psychology. Confidence in the environment and satisfaction with the activity that one proposes to do, be it a job, leisure activity, relationship with other people, stimulate engagement and delivery to the moment.
Relationships (Relationships)
Connecting with other people is a human need. And positive psychology reinforces that the healthier and more confident the bonds established in relationships, the better their impact on individual happiness and fulfillment.
Purpose (Meaning)
Another fundamental element studied by positive psychology is purpose, one of the most important factors when we talk about life motivation. There is a high correlation between people who find meaning in the roles they perform and the high performance delivered by them.
Accomplishments
Objectives and targets are analyzed in the “achievements” element. He is responsible for bringing a sense of achievement and pushing the human being to new challenges with motivation. Usually this factor is linked to others such as a feeling of autonomy and evolution.
What are the most popular therapeutic techniques?
Positive psychology has demonstrated that a variety of interventions can increase well-being and prevent mental health imbalance . Discover three that you can put into practice today!
savor
The technique consists of becoming aware of the pleasure and trying to make it remain. One way to cultivate positive emotions is to leverage the emotional impact of something good that happens in our lives. For that, it is necessary to be totally absorbed in the moments of pleasure, without thinking about other things.
feel grateful
People who show gratitude are more satisfied with their lives. Psychologists who use this feature ask patients to write down in a notebook good things that happened throughout the day that they are grateful for. Exercise is a way to pay more attention to the positive aspects of everyday life.
Identify your own strength
It is necessary to know their qualities, their virtues. Every individual has a strength of his own, regardless of the people around him. The approach is used to accompany people with low self-esteem or some weakness.
How can you apply this knowledge in your career?
With the intense work routine we have today, knowing how to deal with positive emotions to enhance them is essential. Instead of focusing on negative charges, the change in mindset with a focus on increasing sensations such as joy and satisfaction is transformative.
Start changing small attitudes and keep looking for more depth on the topic to boost your career:
- The hormones of happiness improve aspects such as disposition, concentration and creativity;
- Job performance is another with well-balanced confidence and self-esteem;
- Recognizing qualities in yourself and in co-workers is one of the most powerful motivating factors;
- Nobody works alone: empathy and healthy relationships contribute to a lighter and constructive day to day.
For professionals from different areas, especially those of psychology, investing in the study of this aspect means understanding a different way from the traditional one of bringing patients, co-workers and oneself a new way of dealing with stress, depression and anxiety, focusing on positive factors that rule out these conditions.
The society we make up today has a duality between having stimuli at all times and intensity in work and relationships, but also in valuing balance, well-being and mental health. In the end, that’s what we all seek: to be productive and feel fulfilled, but without overload.
When we talk about the job market, professionals and companies increasingly value these aspects. It is common for companies to rely on professionals in the area to maintain the balance of employees and knowledge related to human behavior and conditions.
The study of positive psychology is a way to build career development and a possibility for the professional to stand out in the job market.
