CREATION OF A NEW FIELD THE ORIGINS OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY Positive psychology was invented in 1998 over a New
Seligman intended for this novel field to
Year's gathering hosted by Martin E. P. Seligman and
revolutionize American psychology, expand the
his wife Mandy at the Grateful Dead house (pictured
human understanding of what it means to live a
above) with fellow researchers Mihalyi
good life, and examine ways in which people can
Csikszentmihalyi, who investigated the "optimal
contribute to a better society. Experimental
experience" known as flow state, along with Ray and
research done on the pillars of well-being
Sandy Fowler. Although the term "positive
eventually led to the development of positive
psychology" had been initially coined by Abraham
psychotherapy, which involves exercises that
Maslow in 1954 to call for a greater focus on the
capitalize on positive resources and experiences,
positive aspects of people, our world, and our lives,
including the identification of signature strengths
Seligman became known as the "Father of Positive
and the practice of positive reappraisal.
Psychology" as a result of his tremendous effort in
Even though it requires extensive and consistent
uniting researchers and clinicians in the scientific
work, prioritizing one's mental health is immensely
pursuit of studying human strengths as opposed to
beneficial; the research has shown that happiness
merely human shortcomings—a vital counterbalance
fosters a stronger immune system, improves
to the field of clinical psychology, which fixates
academic and professional success, and promotes
exclusively on treating mental illness.
greater resilience in the face of hardship.
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