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Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing and optimal functioning. It examines strengths like well-being, happiness and resilience. Western views emphasize individual optimal functioning while Eastern views see an optimal life as a spiritual journey involving others. Both traditions discuss virtues and strengths. Positive psychology identifies six core virtues (wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, transcendence) comprised of character strengths that can be developed to live a good life and buffer against mental illness.

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Akshita Vijay
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101 views5 pages

Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing and optimal functioning. It examines strengths like well-being, happiness and resilience. Western views emphasize individual optimal functioning while Eastern views see an optimal life as a spiritual journey involving others. Both traditions discuss virtues and strengths. Positive psychology identifies six core virtues (wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, transcendence) comprised of character strengths that can be developed to live a good life and buffer against mental illness.

Uploaded by

Akshita Vijay
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Q1. Define Positive Psychology. Explain western and eastern perspectives in detail.

Positive psychology is the science and study of life’s positive qualities — well-being,
happiness, satisfaction, and the ability to thrive in our day-to-day lives. The field studies
what goes into building a life of purpose, rich with meaning that allows the individual to
flourish. The psychologists, Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who are
often considered the founders of the positive psychology field, define it as “the scientific
study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels that include the
biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions of life”

While Western cultures emphasize optimal functioning as it occurs intrapsychically,


Eastern cultures hold that an optimal life experience is a spiritual journey involving
others and resulting in transcendence and enlightenment. Within both Western and
Eastern historical contexts, the concept of the “good life” has existed for many
centuries.

WESTERN INFLUENCES

1.Athenian Views: The Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle discussed virtues and
human strengths. Aristotle details 11 moral virtues: courage, moderation, generosity,
philanthropy, magnificence, even temper, friendliness, truthfulness, wit, justice, and
friendship. In addition to these, he also describes intellectual virtues (mainly involving
wisdom) and believed that “strength of character as inculcated by the political
community would lead to enduring human excellence”. Aristotle also believed that the
government should take responsibility for the development of virtue in society through
early education.

2.Judeo-Christianity: The Bible contains a discussion of virtues in many chapters and


verses. In the Old Testament, the virtues of faith, hope, and charity are highlighted.
These were later discussed as part of the “Seven Heavenly Virtues” by Thomas
Aquinas. According to historians, Aquinas lists these virtues as fortitude, justice,
temperance and wisdom, faith, hope, and charity. Similarly, other scholars also cite the
Ten Commandments given by Moses in the Old Testament as directives for cultivating
certain strengths within the Jewish tradition. Throughout the New Testament, other
mentions are made of virtues and strengths. For instance, in the Book of Proverbs,
there are many mentions of virtuous behavior.

3.Islam: Islam incorporates many virtues recognizable in other philosophical traditions


and categorizes them as moral obligations. Among others, gratitude (e.g., to Allah for
His benevolence), love (of Allah because of His forgiveness), kindness (especially
toward parents), justice (emphasizing fraternity and equality of all), and courage are
valued.
Eastern Influences

1. Confucianism:Confucius or the Sage stated that leadership and education are central
to morality. He emphasized morality as the cure for evil. The teachings are quite similar
to those laid down by Aristotle and Plato regarding the responsibility of leaders.
Attaining virtue lies at the core of Confucian teachings. Five main virtues laid down are
jen (humanity), Yi (duty to treat others well), li (etiquette and sensitivity for others’
feelings), Zhi (wisdom), and xin (truthfulness).

2. Taoism: Lao-Tzu, the creator of the Taoist tradition) states that his followers must live
according to the Tao (“the way”). Tao is the energy that surrounds everyone and is a
power that “envelops, surrounds, and flows through all things” (Western Reform Taoism,
2003). Understanding will flow from experiencing the way for oneself by fully
participating in life. Hence, experiencing both good and bad events can lead to a greater
understanding of the way. According to the Taoist philosophy, the most important goal is
spontaneity and naturalness.

3. Buddhism: Throughout the teachings of the Buddha, the good of others is


emphasized. Buddha also teaches that suffering is a part of being and that this suffering
is brought on by desire. Nirvana is considered the state in which the self is freed from
any kind of desire. Both premortal and postmortal states are proposed. Buddhism gives
a very important place to virtues, Brahma Viharas . These virtues include love (Maitri),
compassion (karuna), joy (mudita), and equanimity (upeksha) (Sangharakshita, 1991).
Hence, Buddhist philosophy entails dissociating from the desire to put an end to
suffering. Buddhism spread from India to China and also to other countries in Asia and
has spread to other countries

4. Hinduism: In comparison to the three eastern philosophies mentioned above, the


Hindu tradition differs in the sense that it does not have a specific founder, and its not
clear when this tradition began. The main teachings of this tradition emphasize the
interconnectedness of all things and emphasis is on personal improvement. The goal is
to live one’s life correctly so that one can go to the afterlife without repeating life’s
lessons in a reincarnated form. The quest of one’s life is to attain ultimate
self-knowledge and to strive for ultimate self-improvement. This is known as Karma.
Hence, the good life in this tradition encompasses continually doing good actions.
Q2. Discuss characteristics and virtues in detail.

With reference to developing a parallel form to DSM classification, Peterson and


Seligman(2004) prepared the characteristic strengths and virtues( Values Action
Project). They also provide a language describing positive human qualities that defined
a healthy person living a good life. Each virtue is defined by a set of character strengths
that represent the ingredients, expressions, and potential means of developing the
virtue.

1. Virtue of Wisdom and Knowledge

The more curious and creative we allow ourselves to become, the more
we gain perspective and wisdom and will, in turn, love what we are
learning. This is developing the virtue of wisdom and knowledge.

● Creativity (e.g. Albert Einstein’s creativity led him to acquire


knowledge and wisdom about the universe)
● Curiosity
● Open-mindedness
● Love of Learning
● Perspective and Wisdom

2. Virtue of Courage
The braver and more persistent we become, the more our integrity will
increase because we will reach a state of feeling vital, and this results in
being more courageous in character.

● Bravery
● Persistence
● Integrity
● Vitality
3. Virtue of Humanity
There is a reason why Oprah Winfrey is seen as a symbol of virtue for
humanitarians: on every show, she approaches her guests with respect,
appreciation, and interest (social intelligence), she practices kindness
through her charity work, and she shows her love to her friends and
family.

● Love
● Kindness
● Social Intelligence

4. Virtue of Justice
Mahatma Gandhi was the leader of the Indian independence movement in
British-ruled India. He led India to independence and helped created
movements for civil rights and freedom by being an active citizen in
nonviolent disobedience. His work has been applied worldwide for its
universality.

● Being an active citizen who is socially responsible, loyal, and a team


member.
● Fairness
● Leadership

5. Virtue of Temperance
Being forgiving, merciful, humble, prudent, and in control of our behaviors
and instincts prevents us from being arrogant, selfish, or any other trait
that is excessive or unbalanced.

● Forgiveness and mercy


● Humility and modesty
● Prudence
● Self-Regulation and Self-control
6. Virtue of Transcendence
The Dalai Lama is a transcendent being who speaks openly about why he
never loses hope in humanity’s potential. He also appreciates nature in its
perfection and lives according to what he believes is his intended purpose.

● Appreciation of beauty and excellence


● Gratitude
● Hope
● Humor and playfulness
● Spirituality, or a sense of purpose

Research shows that these human strengths can act as buffers against
mental illness. For instance, being optimistic prevents one’s chances of
becoming depressed. The absence of particular strengths may be an
indication of psychopathology. Positive psychology therapists, counselors,
coaches, and other psychological professions use these new methods and
techniques to help build people’s strengths and broaden their lives.

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