What does positive psychology entail?

Issues such as addiction, depression, suicide, schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder, anxiety, and detachment are crucial aspects addressed in modern psychology. Since the publication of William James' landmark work, "Principles of Psychology" in 1890, many individuals have devoted years to education and professional development, aiming to improve the lives of those affected by mental illnesses.

Certain psychological treatments have shown varying levels of effectiveness. The transorbital lobotomy, for instance, alleviated significant psychosis symptoms in some patients, though it came with severe side effects, including personality changes. Tragically, some patients lost their lives due to this procedure, which involved inserting an ice-pick-like instrument into the frontal lobe through the eye socket and manipulating it to destroy brain tissue.

Despite some early challenges, psychology has proven to be highly effective in understanding and addressing mental health issues. So much so, that some believe it's time to shift the focus from studying mental illnesses to exploring the factors that contribute to our happiness. This emerging subfield is known as positive psychology.

Positive psychology is a relatively new discipline, emerging in the late 1990s, largely through the efforts of University of Pennsylvania psychologist Martin Seligman. Since its inception, the field has gained significant attention, both from psychologists and the general public, as it seeks to apply established psychological methods to the study of happiness.

Positive psychologists face a notable challenge: While psychology has been effective in helping people move from a negative state to neutral, as noted by psychologists Shelly L. Gable and Jonathan Haidt, it has not been as successful in understanding how individuals transition from neutral to positive. They argue that it's time for the field to apply the same rigorous scientific approach to studying happiness that it has used for decades in studying mental illnesses. After all, happiness is something everyone desires.

The Psychology of Happiness

As a newly emerging field, positive psychology faced two significant challenges in gaining broader acceptance. First, advocates had to dispel concerns that positive psychology, despite its name, was an attack on traditional psychology. It’s important to clarify that the rise of positive psychology is not meant to criticize conventional psychology, but rather to focus on studying positivity, specifically happiness and how humans can lead more joyful lives.

The second challenge was defining happiness itself. To study or measure something as elusive as happiness, it’s necessary to first understand what it is. According to Seligman and his team, happiness is a life that is pleasant, engaged, and meaningful [source: Seligman, et al]. Among these three elements, positive psychologists place the greatest emphasis on engagement and meaning, as individuals who prioritize these aspects often report higher life satisfaction compared to those focused on seeking only pleasant feelings.

To give more weight to this emerging field and help assess happiness and the elements that contribute to a fulfilling life, Seligman and his colleagues created the "Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification" (CSV), which contrasts with the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM) used by traditional psychology to diagnose mental disorders. Instead of focusing on negative issues, the CSV identifies universal positive traits and strengths that support human flourishing [source: Seligman, et al].

Through online self-reporting studies, psychologists are developing methods to help people achieve greater happiness. Similar to cognitive psychology’s techniques for separating real problems from exaggerated ones, positive psychology focuses on identifying an individual’s unique strengths. These are positive traits a person may not even realize they possess, yet they play a crucial role in their everyday lives [source: Mayerson]. By recognizing and honing these traits, individuals can more effectively work toward a life that is meaningful, engaging, and fulfilling.

Other positive psychologists are examining real-life interactions to gather insights into how happiness manifests in everyday situations. For instance, romantic couples are studied to understand the dynamics behind their positive exchanges, much like how traditional psychologists analyze dysfunction in relationships [source: Gable and Haidt].

Since positive psychology is still in its early stages, it is uncertain what direction the field will ultimately take. Researchers are in the process of gathering data and refining our understanding of happiness. Additionally, the 'treatment' aspect of the field has not yet been fully defined. Critics argue that these treatments may be ineffective or even potentially harmful.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Opposite of Positive Psychology

In various cultures, mental illness is considered a condition that requires professional treatment. Depressive states, in particular, are viewed similarly in contemporary societies. However, if we’re addressing mental health adequately, why not also direct our efforts toward enhancing the happiness of those who are already content? The answer is straightforward: Proponents of an alternative to positive psychology known as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) argue that happiness is not an inherent aspect of the human experience.

By putting excessive emphasis on the pursuit of happiness, critics suggest that positive psychology sets an unreasonably high expectation for an individual's emotional state. In striving for happiness, people might suppress or overlook negative emotions that deserve attention. Dr. Russ Harris, an ACT therapist and author, highlights that 'ignoring negativity is unrealistic.' He also remarks that pursuing happiness exclusively is 'a nice theory, but here's the catch: The things we value most in life bring with them a range of feelings, pleasant and unpleasant' [source: Harris].

According to Harris and other ACT advocates, humans are inevitably caught in a life where both positive and negative emotions coexist. Accepting this reality is the first step toward truly living.

ACT, similar to positive psychology, is derived from traditional psychological methods, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. It focuses on examining past experiences that have shaped a person’s worldview. By confronting these experiences—whether they are marked by regret, shame, or exhilaration—individuals can learn to embrace their negative emotions and choose whether to alter or maintain behaviors based on the personal value they assign to them [source: Hayes].

Through greater awareness of their past experiences and the perspectives they've formed, participants in ACT gain the ability to consciously decide how to respond emotionally to each situation they face.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and positive psychology are often seen as opposing approaches. Both have gained recognition from the American Psychological Association (APA), which adds credibility to each discipline. However, the choice of which approach is more effective should ultimately be left to the individual, depending on their personal needs and preferences.