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Block 5 Positive Psychology Interventions

Unit 17 Current Trends and Future Directions in Positive Psychology

1. Provide an account of the origin of positive psychology.

• Positive psychology emerged as a scientific field of study to address the excessive focus on the negative aspects of human functioning within psychology.
• It aimed to highlight the positive side of human development, including character strengths and virtues.
• This shift was influenced by figures like Martin Seligman, who advocated for the study of strengths and virtues.
• The field of positive psychology has progressed through different phases with the first wave primarily focused on positive aspects and the second wave integrating negative aspects,

2. Describe in detail the scope of positive psychology.

• The scope of positive psychology includes various positive psychological constructs that contribute to well-being.
• It explores concepts such as character strengths, virtues, positive emotions, and cognitive states.
• It seeks to apply these constructs in different areas of life to enhance psychological well-being and flourishing.
• Positive psychology also has an applied orientation, with research being conducted in education, public health, healthcare, and other fields.

3. Explain the waves of positive psychology in terms of Hagel’s thesis-antithesis-synthesis model.

• Hegel's model of thesis-antithesis-synthesis is used to explain the progression of positive psychology.
• The first wave of positive psychology (PP1) focused on the 'thesis' of positive aspects of human functioning.
• The second wave (PP2) emerged as the 'antithesis', acknowledging the role of negative emotions and suffering in well-being.
• A potential third wave (PP3) aims to create a 'synthesis' by integrating both positive and negative aspects within a broader socio-cultural context.

4. Describe the research trends in the field of positive psychology.

• Research trends include a focus on integrating both positive and negative aspects of human functioning.
• There is an increased focus on the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions (PPIs), with a special interest in online PPIs.
• Studies are exploring the neurobiological correlates of positive psychological constructs.
• There is a growing need to study the application of PPIs across diverse backgrounds and demographic variables.

5. Discuss the role of Indian psychology in the future of positive psychology.

1. Indian psychology offers a perspective that goes beyond the Western individualistic focus, embracing a collective view of happiness.
2. Concepts from Indian psychology, such as Sthitapragya (equanimity) and Sarvodaya (well-being of all), can enrich positive psychology.
3. Indian psychology highlights the interdependence of all forms of life and promotes sustainable well-being.
4. The field of positive psychology can benefit from integrating an inclusive Indian viewpoint that moves towards collective happiness and sustainable well-being.

Important Points

1. Martin Seligman said, “Psychology is not just the study of weakness and damage, it is also the study of strength and virtue”.
2. Positive psychology came as an antithesis to the illness-oriented focus of the field of psychology around two decades back.
3. The fundamental missions of psychology prior to World War II were:
   • To cure mental illness.
   • To make the lives of all people better and more fulfilling.
   • To identify and nurture high talent or genius.
4. Positive psychology is characterized by a strength model of human functioning.
5. Maslow is credited with introducing the term positive psychology.
6. The second wave of positive psychology considers well-being as a dynamic interaction between positive and negative aspects in the life of an individual.
7. The third wave in positive psychology advocates a focus on systemic approaches.
8. The Yin and Yang concept in Chinese philosophy represents the opposite yet interdependent forces of yin and yang that govern our life and the universe.
9. According to Indian psychology, the individual or ‘Jiva’ is not an isolated entity.
10. Bronfenbrenner's theory is known as the ecological theory.