Psychology, as the etymology of its name indicates, is the science in charge of the study of human behavior. Thus, since its constitution as a science, many branches of it have focused on the treatment of various pathologies that affect human beings.
However, little had been said about any study to reinforce the behaviors and strengths of individuals in order to avoid the appearance of these pathologies and disorders . It is here where positive psychology plays an innovative role as well as important, of which we will talk to you next.
What is positive psychology?
As just mentioned, it can be said that positive psychology basically consists of studying, from a rigorous and scientific method, those positive factors of human behavior that can be reinforced.
This study has nothing to do with philosophies of life or self-help manuals that are not usually supported by scientific bases. Since, for its part, the development of this branch of psychology, carries out its studies based on the scientific method.
How does positive psychology originate?
It is said that positive psychology began to be formally developed by the psychologist Martin Seligman , when he presented his proposal on this subject in the American psychiatric association in the decade of the 90s.
After this, it is believed that different aspects and areas of study related to positive psychology have emerged. Also being Mihály Csikszentmihalyi , a psychologist who has contributed greatly to the development of positive psychology.
However, it has been said that before the beginnings of positive psychology by these psychologists, what could be some precedents already existed. These precedents are said to date back to the early twentieth century with contributions contributed by John B. Watson, as well as Lewis Terman, mainly.
What’s the point of your study?
It could be said that the main object of study of positive psychology is the positive reinforcement of human behavior. That is why it is believed that what this science seeks is to develop a method that allows individuals to achieve happiness on their own.
Thus, among the aspects that this science seeks to know to carry out this task can be found the following:
- Know the mental processes that usually manifest when people are happy.
- Reinforce the attributes or positive qualities that can allow the achievement of happiness.
- Serve as a means so that, through therapies, people develop the ability to solve their problems by themselves.
What new possibilities does positive psychology bring?
It is said that due to the fact that positive psychology carries out its study approach in a different way than the conventional one, a new field of possibilities opens up to promote the development of psychology in general .
In addition, it is believed that among some of the discoveries that have been made with the study of positive psychology, there are the following:
- That work can serve individuals as a point where they can make sense of their existence.
- That Contributing to the happiness of other people can also contribute to your own happiness.
- Constantly experiencing positive emotions can contribute to a better quality of life.
- That by developing the strengths and qualities that each person has, it can help them to develop autonomy, independence and self-confidence.
Thus, thanks to positive psychology, new alternatives could be developed , as well as new mechanisms to evaluate behavior . Let us remember that unlike other branches of this science, what positive psychology seeks is to reinforce both the strengths as well as the positive qualities of individuals.