Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology is the new and emerging field of the study of optimal human functioning. It is a term first used by Martin Seligman in his presidential address to the American Psychological Association in 1998. Seligman wanted to encourage his fellow psychologists to think beyond relieving people of their problems to helping them live the best life they can.

Positive Psychology, whilst relatively new as a defined scientific field, is emerging rapidly and three distinct areas of focus can be identified:

Individuals:  How people can be successful and feel good about it

Organisations: How organisations can get the most from people and help them feel good

Society: What society and government can do to help people succeed and feel good

The unifying idea behind all the work that is being undertaken under the banner of Positive Psychology (and associated fields) is the search for what works and what is good and helping people build on these things. This is in stark contrast to the traditional ways of thinking in both psychology and business where the focus is on finding what isn't working and trying to fix it.

Some people think of existing approaches as helping people and organisations get from a minus score (a problem) to zero (nothing wrong), whereas the new thinking is focused on moving the score into the positive and towards the desired ten out of ten.

Positive Psychology is evolving all the time and the aim of this website is to provide a summary of the latest thinking and how it can be used in your life and work. The site has four main sections.

4An overview of the field of Positive Psychology and its development.

4A series of articles on  specific topics,links to useful articles in other places and book recommendations.

4A section with links to other useful websites.

4A selection of the tools and techniques that are emerging as useful for individuals or organisations.

If there is information that you think should be added to this resource or you have a question about Positive Psychology, then please do get in touch.