When most people think of psychology, they might picture a therapist helping someone work through anxiety, depression, or trauma. This view of psychology is about solving problems and addressing mental health challenges. However, there’s another side to psychology that focuses not on what’s wrong but on what’s right—this is called positive psychology.
The last articles focused on the connection between positive psychology and financial wellbeing and financial behaviors. We’re taking a step back in this article; we’ll break down what positive psychology is, how it differs from traditional psychology, and why it’s something you might want to incorporate into your life.
Positive psychology is the primary theoretical lens we use when working with clients, it informs how we design engagements and interventions to help you uncover and live out your money story.
What Is Positive Psychology?
Positive psychology is a relatively new field of psychology that focuses on what makes life worth living. It aims to study and promote the positive aspects of life, such as happiness, well-being, strengths, and human flourishing.
It was introduced in the late 1990s by Martin Seligman, a prominent psychologist, who felt that psychology had become too focused on fixing problems rather than helping people thrive. His work paved the way for a shift in psychology—one that’s not just about mental illness but also about mental wellness.
Some of the main topics studied in positive psychology include:
- Happiness and life satisfaction: What makes people feel happy and content with their lives?
- Strengths and virtues: What positive traits help people thrive, like resilience, gratitude, and kindness?
- Meaning and purpose: How do people find deeper meaning in their lives?
- Positive emotions: What role do emotions like joy, hope, and love play in overall well-being?
How Is Positive Psychology Different From Traditional Psychology?
While traditional (or "clinical") psychology is about diagnosing and treating mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma, positive psychology focuses on the other side of the spectrum—enhancing happiness, building strengths, and improving overall life satisfaction.
Here are some key differences:
1. Focus on Wellness vs. Illness
- Traditional psychology: Often seeks to identify and treat mental illnesses or disorders.
- Positive psychology: Looks at how to boost well-being and help people thrive, regardless of whether they have a mental health condition.
2. Problem Solving vs. Growth Building
- Traditional psychology: Typically involves solving problems, managing symptoms, or helping people overcome emotional difficulties.
- Positive psychology: Concentrates on personal growth, building resilience, and helping people reach their full potential.
3. Deficit Approach vs. Strengths-Based Approach
- Traditional psychology: Often takes a "deficit approach," which means it looks for what’s wrong and works to fix it.
- Positive psychology: Emphasizes a "strengths-based approach," focusing on identifying and leveraging what’s going right in a person’s life.
4. Path to 'Normal' vs. Path to 'Flourishing'
- Traditional psychology: Aims to help people return to a "normal" state of functioning.
- Positive psychology: Encourages people to move beyond just "normal" and into a state of flourishing, where they experience higher levels of happiness, meaning, and satisfaction.
Why Should You Care About Positive Psychology?
Even if you don’t have a diagnosed mental health condition, positive psychology can help you enhance your overall well-being. By focusing on your strengths and learning to foster positive emotions, you can improve your mental health, relationships, and even your performance at work.
Here are a few ways to bring positive psychology into your life:
- Practice gratitude: Studies show that regularly writing down things you’re grateful for can improve your happiness and health.
- Focus on strengths: Rather than dwelling on what you’re bad at, focus on your natural talents and how to use them in your everyday life.
- Cultivate optimism: Actively work on seeing the bright side of situations and learn to reframe negative thoughts.
- Find meaning: Look for deeper purpose in your work, relationships, and personal goals.
Final Thoughts
While traditional psychology is essential for diagnosing and treating mental health issues, positive psychology offers something new: a path to thrive, not just survive. It’s about helping you live a more fulfilling, happy life by building on your strengths and fostering well-being.
By focusing on the positive aspects of life, positive psychology can provide you with tools to not only improve your mental health but also to live a life filled with more joy, meaning, and satisfaction. Whether you’re looking to enhance your happiness or strengthen your resilience, exploring positive psychology can be a powerful step toward a richer, more fulfilling life.
Money is challenging, it doesn’t have to be. We’re here to help you uncover your values and reasons impacting your financial decision-making - your money story! Aligning your decisions around money with your values, dreams, and strengths helps you live out your money story each day. Connect with us today to uncover and live out your money story!
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