Positive psychology is the scientific study of human prosperity and an applied approach to optimal functioning. It is one of the important disciplines of psychology as a whole. It has been defined as the study of strengths and virtues that enable individuals, communities and organisations to drive. It is the study of optimal human functioning. It aims to discover and promote the factors that allow the human beings and the civilisation to thrive.
This theory describes that certain discrete positive emotions such as love, contentment, joy, pride and interest although phenomenologically different but their function is same to broaden people’s thought-action repertoires and build their long lasting personal resources of well-being including physical, intellectual and psychological well-being and better behavioral and emotional adjustment. Positive emotions often occur in life threatening situations. As such, a psychological process that slows down a person’s prompt thought-action repertoires to stimulate quick decisive action may not be needed. Instead positive emotions have a supportive effect: positive emotions broadenpeople’s momentary thought-action repertoires, widening the flow of thoughts and actions that come to
Following next generation of psychologists such as Seligman and Mihaly Csiskzenmihalyi are focused on scientific study of the effects of positive emotions and its effects on health, performance and overall life satisfaction. These studies have shown that happiness can be taught and learned.
These facets of wellbeing, have been found to have certain predictable consequenceslike self confidence, leadership, active engagement ans sociability. Hence in other words positive affect produce a state that appears to be similar to psychological empowerment. Psychological empowerment includes psychological feelings of competence, energy and the desire to act. It consists of both the actual ability to control one’s environment (external empowerment) and the feeling that one can do so (internal empowerment), which is influenced by psychological wellbeing (Deepa, 2005). Many research shows the wellbeing program has impact on empowerment of an individual, as these programs are enriched with seeks to empower participants through personal transformation that involves harmonising physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of life and applying this to practical, day-to-day life (Austrailia’s National Institute for Aboriginal and Torrestrail Islander Health Research ).
Optimism Optimism can be defined as the mental behavior or as a type of character in which every happening is experienced in lighter, positive way. Every obstacle that prevents someone from achieving his goal will be reduced and made easier because of optimistic point of view. It is much easier to solve our problem through positive thinking by pulling the good things from bad. The same goes for difficult situations in life or simply just a bad day. Positive thinking can surely help people to improve their mental and physical state.
Psychologist focus on treating actual mental illnesses, while helping people to identify and benefit from positive stimuli in their life. This method is also used to create a "happy mind" in those who do not have a mental illness but are looking to increase their outlook on life. The History of Positive Psychology In order to fully understand positive psychology, we must first look to its predecessor, Humanistic Psychology. This form of psychology was prevalent in the early to mid-20th century, which is of course when psychology made the transition into being an accepted mainstream science. Humanistic psychology was very effective and focused on the benefits of a happy mind.
I had developed some questions to know further more about keys to success. First of all, from Ms. Melissa view, she said do things base on your values, which means if your values are positive, you will be living with positive lifestyle. What I learnt from her is, having a positive mindset is very important, it affect how a person living style is. Positive thinking also helps achieving goals, too. Other than that, positive mindset
Positive psychology allows us to study what actions and pursuits contribute to the good life as well as the effects of positive emotions and the ways in which they affect performance, health, and overall life satisfaction. It utilizes the scientific method (hypothesis, prediction, study, and research, analysis) to understand the positive and emotionally fulfilling aspects of human behaviour. Although there are many different theories on how to cultivate happiness for everyone, there is a vast
We have all asked ourselves how different factors have benefited our lives. One of the biggest factors is optimism. According to Yolanda Williams, “Optimism is a form of positive thinking that includes the belief that you are responsible for your own happiness and that more good things will continue to happen to you in the future”. It gives support and enthusiasm in the world we live today, but if the world remains with or without optimism relies on us. If you want to be successful in life, then optimism is what helps you get there.
The importance of positive emotions in workplace have been a debatable subject that is still under many evaluations and experiments under the term psychological capital which is a constructive body consists of efficacy, hope, optimism and resilience. Researchers are working to expand the contributions of psychology to go beyond mental illness and personality disorders in order to develop both the quality and efficiency of organizational work field. In a previous study of Avey, Luthans and Youssef (2009), they suggested the positive relationship between positive Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB). Employees with higher positive emotions showed more desirable OCB such as altruism, courtesy, sportsmanship, conscientiousness and civic virtue. Previous studies also explored ways to elevate PsyCap through brief work interventions, however, this research proposal is aiming to investigate the relationship between positive PsyCap and desirable OCB in organizations and workplace.