“Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living” (Peterson, 2008). To push this brief description a bit further, positive psychology is a scientific approach to - Studying human thoughts, feelings, and behavior, with a focus on strengths instead of weaknesses , Building the good in life instead of repairing the bad, and taking the lives of average people up to “ great ” instead of focusing solely on moving those who are struggling up to “normal” (Peterson, 2008). 2 What is Positive Psychology?
Exploring the positives in Positive Psychology 3 A Take-Home Message INTRODUCTION What is Positive Psychology The PERMA Model Benefits of Positive Psychology Theory & Concepts Goals of Positive Psychology (in Coaching) Becoming Perma’tive PERMA in Schools
Positive psychology focuses on the positive events and influences in life, including: Positive experiences (like happiness, joy, inspiration, and love). Positive states and traits (like gratitude, resilience, and compassion). Positive institutions (applying positive principles within entire organizations and institutions). As a field , positive psychology spends much of its time thinking about topics like character strengths , optimism , life satisfaction , happiness , wellbeing , gratitude , compassion (as well as self-compassion), self-esteem and self-confidence, hope, and elevation. These topics are studied in order to learn how to help people flourish and live their best lives. 4 The Focus of Positive Psychology
In general, the greatest potential benefit of Positive Psychology is that it teaches us the power of shifting one’s perspective . This is the focus of many techniques, exercises, and even entire programs based on positive psychology because a relatively small change in one’s perspective can lead to astounding shifts in wellbeing and quality of life. Injecting a bit more optimism and gratitude into your life is a simple action that can give you a radically more positive outlook on life. Focusing solely on positive emotions and experiences can lead to burnout or a sense of overwhelm . Balancing positive emotions with negative ones allows for a more realistic and sustainable approach to well-being. 5 Key areas of Positive Psychology
6 P.O.V. Psychologist Positive psychology teaches how to harness the power of shifting one’s perspective to maximize the potential for happiness in many of our everyday behaviors. For example, each of these findings gives us a concrete idea for improving our own quality of life:
Positive psychology also lends itself to improvements in the workplace; studies from the field have found that: Positive emotions boost our job performance; Positive emotions in the workplace are contagious , which means one positive person or team can have a ripple effect that extends through the entire organization; Small, simple actions can have a big impact on our happiness, meaning that it doesn’t take much to encourage your workplace to become a happier and more positive place (Kjerulf, 2016). One of the benefits of practicing a positive psychological outlook is, to put it broadly, success ! Not only does success make us happier, feeling happy and experiencing positive emotions actually increases our chances of success (Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005). 7 Studies and Research
8 However, don’t assume that refusing to brook any encroachment of negative emotions or outlooks will help you reach success. An important finding from positive psychology research is that forcing people who are not naturally optimists to “just think positively” can do more harm than good. Unrealistic optimism is detrimental, along with intense pessimism (del Valle & Mateos, 2008; Dillard, Midboe, & Klein, 2009). Studies and Research
9 Benefits of Positive Psychology Renowned positive psychologist Roy F. Baumeister and colleagues research showed that happiness and a sense of meaning in life do not necessarily go hand-in-hand, indicating that focusing on positive emotions alone will not bring the fulfilling and satisfying life you crave. Some of their more specific findings included the following:
10 Increased Happiness and Well-being:: By focusing on positive emotions, strengths, and virtues, positive psychology can help individuals cultivate greater happiness and well-being. Improved Mental Health: Positive psychology has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Enhanced Resilience: By developing resilience, individuals can better cope with challenges and setbacks. Stronger Relationships: Positive psychology can help individuals build and maintain stronger relationships with others. Increased Motivation: Focusing on strengths and positive emotions can boost motivation and drive goal achievement. Enhanced Leadership Positive leaders who focus on strengths and create a positive work environment can inspire and motivate their teams. Improved Physical Health Research suggests that positive emotions and a positive outlook can have positive effects on physical health. Increased Gratitude Cultivating gratitude can foster positive emotions and strengthen relationships. Improved Self-Esteem Focusing on strengths and accomplishments can boost self-esteem and confidence. Greater Engagement in Life By focusing on positive emotions and experiences, individuals can become more engaged and fulfilled in their lives.` More Benefits of Positive Psychology
11 Theory & Concepts The most important thing to understand about positive psychology is that it is indeed science—it is a subfield of psychology & is still based on the scientific method of evaluating theories based on the evidence.
P.E.R.M.A. elements of well-being 12
13 The PERMA Model Even though seeking positive emotions alone is not a very effective way to boost your wellbeing, experiencing positive emotion is still an important factor. Part of wellbeing is enjoying yourself in the moment. We all thrive when we are succeeding , achieving our goals, and bettering ourselves. Without a drive to accomplish and achieve, we are missing one of the puzzle pieces of authentic wellbeing (Seligman, 2011). It’s hard to have a developed sense of wellbeing if you are not truly engaged in anything you do Humans are social creatures, and we rely on connections with others to truly flourish . Having deep, meaningful relationships with others is vital to our wellbeing When we dedicate ourselves to a cause or recognize something bigger than ourselves, we experience a sense of meaning that there is simply no replacement for
14 Becoming PERMA’tive This model gives us a comprehensive framework for understanding wellbeing as well as a foundation for improving wellbeing. If you’re looking to enhance your own sense of authentic happiness and wellbeing, all you need to do is focus on:
PERMA in schools PERMA is a tool that teachers, can use not just to enhance academic success but also the overall development of students. It brings a more holistic approach to the classroom and empowers us to infuse creativity into our methods, allowing teachers to customize strategies that fit the unique dynamics of their classrooms. It is more of a concept than a pedagogy, and teachers can explore various ideas or schemes to help children grow by developing their 24-character strengths. This, in turn, will assist students in leading a happier life and, hopefully, a more successful career and future . 15
POSITIVE EMOTION (P) Morning Gratitude Rituals: Begin the day with a brief gratitude session where students express one thing they are thankful for. This sets a positive tone for the day. Emotion Check-ins: Implement regular emotion check-ins to encourage students to identify and share their feelings. This cultivates emotional intelligence and a supportive classroom culture. 16 What can teachers do?
17 ENGAGEMENT (E) Project-Based Learning : Design projects that align with students’ interests and allow for creativity and self-expression. This fosters deep engagement and a sense of accomplishment. Incorporate Interactive Technologies: Integrate educational technologies that encourage active participation, collaboration , and interaction, enhancing overall engagement. What can teachers do?
RELATIONSHIPS Circle Time : Dedicate time for circle sessions where students and teachers can share experiences, creating a sense of community and fostering positive relationships. Buddy Systems: Establish a buddy system where students pair up to support each other academically and emotionally, building strong peer relationships. 18 What can teachers do?
MEANING Connect Lessons to Real-World Contexts: Relate lessons to real-world applications to demonstrate the practical significance of what students are learning, providing a sense of meaning and purpose. Community Service Projects: Engage students in community service projects, allowing them to see the impact of their actions and fostering a sense of contribution and meaning. 19 What can teachers do?
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Goal-Setting Exercises: Guide students in setting realistic and achievable goals, both academically and personally. Celebrate small victories to instill a sense of accomplishment. Student-Led Presentations: Let students to lead presentations where they showcase their achievements and discuss their learning journey, promoting self-reflection and accomplishment. This can be done in your class assemblies 20 What can teachers do?
PERMA in schools Schools, traditionally focused on imparting knowledge, also bear the responsibility of nurturing wellbeing. According to Dr. Seligman, schools should aim not only for academic learning but also for building wellbeing, measured through the lens of PERMA. The positive emotion, engagement, quality relationships, and meaning all contribute to academic accomplishment. Increasing PERMA enhances learning , and improved learning contributes to increased PERMA. 21
22 A Take-Home Message In conclusion, cultivating a positive mindset is essential for leading a fulfilling and successful life. By practicing gratitude, mindfulness, and other positive psychology techniques, you can improve your mental health, build stronger relationships, and achieve your goals. Remember, a positive mindset is a choice, and with consistent effort, you can transform your life.