Scope, pillars, concepts and objectives of Positive Psychology

"The goal of Positive Psychology is to catalyze a shift in psychology - from a concern only with repairing the worst things in life - to also building the best qualities in life." - Martin Seligman


What is Positive Psychology?

Positive Psychology is dedicated to the scientific study of the qualities (strengths and virtues) of human beings that enable them (what makes people [and organizations] prosper in a healthy way).

Positive Psychology is a scientific movement; is a branch of Psychology, it is a science whose conclusions are based on studies and investigations conducted along scientific lines. It is dedicated to the scientific study of the individual's own strengths and virtues.

It is a scientific movement, within the Science of Psychology, which is based on the assumption that emotional health is something more than the absence of illness.

What is NOT Positive Psychology?

  • A spiritual or philosophical movement
  • A self-help method
  • A set of magic formulas to find happiness
  • Positive thinking (Positive Psychology does not advocate that one should constantly think positively or deny reality)

Goals of Positive Psychology

Its objective is to contribute to the flourishing and healthy functioning of people, groups and organizations:

  • Improving people's quality of life by strengthening skills, rather than just correcting deficiencies
  • Help prevent pathologies, by building happier and more productive lives

Scope and research pillars of Positive Psychology

The study of positive emotions:

  • Objective: for the person to value their past and live their future in the most positive way possible
  • Learning to face the past in a positive way brings satisfaction, joy and well-being to human beings
  • Living in the present positively contributes to happiness and a state of "flow"
  • When we see the future positively, we feel hope and optimism, which generate well-being


The study of positive aspects of personality:

  • Our abilities and virtues


The study of positive institutions for the development of the individual:

  • Study and development of positive institutions for your human (family, community, school, work, etc.) 

Fundamental concepts of Positive Psychology

  • Well-being: well-being is more than smiling and feeling good; subjective well-being is the assessment (cognitive and affective) that the individual makes about their own life
  • Happiness: is related to more frequent positive emotional experiences than negative ones
  • Resilience: ability to adapt and overcome, successfully (in a healthy and constructive way), challenges, stressful situations, adversities
  • Flow: state or "maximum experience" in which the person acts in their zone of excellence, as they are totally involved with what they are doing, using the best they have in the experience. In the context of work, when states of "Flow" are experienced, the activity performed becomes intrinsically rewarding and, as such, a source of gratification and happiness for the individual