This doesn’t feel like a typical academic conference. Yes, the three-day Positive Psychology Summit is sold out. 425 people fill the meeting rooms in downtown Washington, D.C. But, something seems off. Herbal tea is available during breaks. The conference’s organizer is Shane Lopez of the University of Kansas. He walks around smiling and ringing a dinner bell. He does this to prompt people to take their seats for the next session. This group is slimmer, healthier, and younger. It is also more female than the usual scholarly crowd. Some stretch in yoga-like postures in the aisles. They also recline on friends’ bodies as if on a chaise lounge. The jargon includes words like flow, optimism, and resilience. It also has words for virtues, energy, and flourishing. It includes strengths, happiness, and curiosity. It also covers meaning, well-being, forgiveness, joy, and even 20Bet login.
The professional jargon includes recurring words like:
- Flow
- Optimism
- Resilience
- Courage
- Virtues
- Energy
- Flourishing
- Strengths
- Happiness
- Curiosity
- Meaning
- Subjective well-being,
- Forgiveness
- Joy
The primary distinction emerges during the query sessions. Academics love to find fault in the argument made. They point out counterexamples and insist on qualifications. They do this to one-up the speaker. Such shenanigans are absent here. “They’re trying to build,” explains one participant. “None of this is academic carping,” says psychiatrist George Vaillant. He has spoken at five of these “summit” events. I have done teaching exercises for positive psychology audiences. They have been a joy. Here, people laugh at the jokes.”
The Turn Towards Positive Psychology
In 1998, psychologist Martin Seligman urged a focus on human strengths. He did this in the field of psychology. He was at the University of Pennsylvania. This was to add to its focus on healing. This speech initiated the positive psychology movement. Before this, Seligman was known for his work on depression and “learned helplessness.” Yet, he shifted to studying optimism.
Positive psychologists focus on people’s strengths and virtues. They study the strength of those in successful recovery, like through Alcoholics Anonymous. They do this instead of focusing on the bad parts of alcoholism. They also study how meditation improves mental and physical health. They also study what leads to generosity, courage, creativity, and laughter.
The Growth of Positive Psychology
Seligman’s idea spread, prompting the establishment of the Gallup Positive Psychology Institute. The institute launched the annual international Gallup Positive Psychology Summit.
Since 1999, the summit has drawn approximately 400 people. They come from many countries, businesses, and schools.
Teaching and Academic Adoption
Teaching has mushroomed as well. In 1999, Philip J. Stone was a psychology professor at Harvard. He taught a positive psychology course to 20 undergraduates. Only a few college courses covered the subject then. Seven years later, there were over 200 across the United States. The University of Pennsylvania offers a master’s degree in the field.
Addressing the Mental Health Crisis
Effective psychological interventions, such as AA, are in acute demand nowadays.
Rising Depression Among Youth
At the 2006 Positive Psychology Summit, Seligman said, “Depression is a big problem. It affects all wealthy nations.”” “It’s a paradox. As we get richer, young people get more depressed. Richard Kadison is the head of mental health at Harvard. In 2005, he wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine. He cited a national survey of 13,500 college students. It found that 45 percent reported feeling depressed. It was bad enough to stop them from functioning. And, 94 percent felt overwhelmed by their duties. “In our time, depression is on the rise,” Ben-Shahar says. “More and more students experience stress, anxiety, unhappiness. Until a few years ago, we didn’t have e-mail; now, students check their e-mail 20 times daily. Students work longer hours. They have to build up their résumés to levels that young people were not expected to have 20 years ago. Students today are looking for ideas to help them lead better lives.”
Final Thoughts
Positive psychology has transformed the field by emphasizing strengths, resilience, and well-being. The movement is growing. It deals with critical issues like rising youth depression. It offers tools for a happier life. Ongoing positive psychology research and use will enrich lives and society.
