PSY292 Assignment: CA 1
Submitted By: Deepanshu Sharma
Roll number: RQOM56A21
Section: QOM56
NATURE OF POSITIVE
PSYCHOLOGY.
What is Psychology?
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an
organism’s physical state, mental state, and external environment.
Psychology is the science mind and behavior.
PSYCHE
(Soul,Mind)
PSYCHOLOGY
LOGOS
(Study of
something)
What are the functions of psychology?
1. Describe – The first goal is to observe and describe, often in minute detail, what was observed
as objectively as possible.
2. Explain – While descriptions come from observable data, psychologists must go beyond what is
obvious and explain their observations. In other words, why did the subject do what he or she
did?
3. Predict – Once we know what happens, and why it happens, we can begin to speculate what will
happen in the future. There’s an old saying, which very often holds true. “The best predictor of
future behavior is past behavior.”
4. Control – Once we know what happens, why it happens and what is likely to happen in the
future, we can excerpt control over it. In other words, if we know you choose abusive partners
because your father or mother was abusive, we can assume you will choose another abusive
partner, and can therefor intervene to change this negative behavior.
5. Improve – Not only do psychologists attempt to control behavior, they want to do so in a
positive manner, they want to improve a person’s life, not make it worse.
History of psychology.
Before 1870 psychology was not a separate discipline rather it was studied under Philosophy.
Wilhelm Wundt in 1879 opened first experimental laboratory in psychology at the university of
Leipzig, Germany. He is considered as the Father of Psychology.
American Psychological Association (APA) was established in 1892 and the founder was G.
Stanley Hall.
In 1896 John Dewey and William James supported the functionalism in psychology.
(John Dewey) ( William James)
In 1896 Sigmund Freud developed the theory of psychoanalysis. On the basis of this therapy
later on he developed the therapy of free association and dream analysis.
In 1905 IQ test developed by Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon.
In 1913 John B. Watson supported the behavioral aspects of psychology.
In 1921 First Nobel Prize for psychological research was given to Charles Frederick Menninger.
In 1935 Gestalt Psychology came into existence.
What is positive psychology?
Positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and
communities to thrive.
Positive psychology is founded on the belief that people want more than an end to suffering.
People want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves,
to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.
We have the opportunity to create a science and a profession that not only heals psychological
damage but also builds strengths to enable people to achieve the best things in life.
Positive psychology is a new approach of psychology in 21st century.
A science of happiness and others that make life worth living.
Positive psychology is named by Martin Seligman in 1998 when he became the president of APA
(American Psychological Association)
Positive subjective experience.
Understanding positive emotions entails the study of contentment with the past, happiness in the
present, and hope for the future.
Positive Individual Traits.
Understanding positive individual traits involves the study of strengths, such as the capacity for love and
work, courage, compassion, resilience, creativity, curiosity, integrity, self-knowledge, moderation, self-
control, and wisdom.
Positive institutions.
Understanding positive institutions entails the study of the strengths that foster better communities,
such as justice, responsibility, civility, parenting, nurturance, work ethic, leadership, teamwork, purpose,
and tolerance.
Origin of Positive psychology
Positive psychology began as a new domain of psychology in 1998 when Martin Seligman chose it as the
theme for his term as president of the American Psychological Association.
Before the movement of positive psychology, mainstream psychology focused heavily on the negative
aspects of life, such as depression and anxiety.
Mihaly and Christopher Peterson are regarded as co-initiators of this development. It is a reaction
against psycho-analysis and behaviorism, which have focused on “mental – illness”.
Christopher Peterson defines positive psychology as “the scientific study of what makes life most worth
living”.
Thank You
