A balanced psychology and a full life

Abstract

Psychology since World War II has been largely devoted to repairing weakness and understanding suffering. Towards that end, we have made considerable gains. We have a classification of mental illness that allows international collaboration, and through this collaboration we have developed effective psychotherapeutic or pharmacological treatments for 14 major mental disorders. However, while building a strong science and practice of treating mental illness, we largely forgot about everyday well-being. Is the absence of mental illness and suffering sufficient to let individuals and communities flourish? Were all disabling conditions to disappear, what would make life worth living? Those committed to a science of positive psychology can draw on the effective research methods developed to understand and treat mental illness. Results from a new randomized, placebo-controlled study demonstrate that people are happier and less depressed three months after completing exercises targeting positive emotion. The ultimate goal of positive psychology is to make people happier by understanding and building positive emotion, gratification and meaning. Towards this end, we must supplement what we know about treating illness and repairing damage with knowledge about nurturing well-being in individuals and communities.

Investigating the impact of a combined approach of perceived organisational support for strengths use and deficit correction on employee outcomes

“…Finally, our study supports advocacy for a combined approach focusing on both individuals' strengths and their deficits, as suggested by leaders in the field of positive psychology. These authors all agree that for optimal human functioning there should be an equal focus on nurturing people's strengths and repairing their weaknesses (Linley, Joseph, Harrington & Wood, 2006;Rust et al, 2009;Seligman, Parks & Steen, 2004). It is not surprising that a combined approach yields better employee results compared to an exclusive focus on POS for strengths use or POS for deficit correction.…”

“…Therefore, it is plausible that using one's strengths and also remediating one's deficits gives an individual a sense of competence and the feeling that their potential is realised. Therefore, positive psychology should not just concern itself http://www.sajhrm.co.za Open Access with amplifying strengths but also with supporting people in overcoming their weaknesses Seligman et al, 2004).…”

Integrating the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives to more comprehensively understand wellbeing and pathways to wellbeing

“…Seligman, Parks and Steen (2004) were first to propose an integrated wellbeing theory termed Authentic Happiness theory, which suggested that the presence of positive emotion, meaning, and engagement were indicative of wellbeing. The dimensions of pleasure and of meaning in Seligman et al's model have been equated with hedonia and eudaimonia respectively.…”

Positive psychology and tourism: a systematic literature review

“…Following World Word II, Psychology has concentrated on how to heal wounds with a major emphasis on pathology instead of aiming at helping people flourish (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000;Seligman, Parks & Steen, 2004). In a special issue of American Psychologist, Positive Psychology emerges as a new movement.…”