Positive psychology is a relatively recent field within psychology that focuses on the

scientific study of positive experiences, strengths, and aspects of human well-being. It

emerged in response to the traditional focus of psychology on mental illness, pathology, and
dysfunction. The history of positive psychology can be traced through several key
milestones:

1.Precursors to Positive Psychology (20th Century): Before positive psychology officially

emerged, there were scholars and researchers who explored aspects of human happiness and
well-being. Psychologists such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers emphasized the
importance of self-actualization and personal growth.

2. Humanistic Psychology (1950s-1960s): Humanistic psychology, associated with Maslow,

Rogers, and others, focused on the positive aspects of human nature and personal growth.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which includes self-actualization at its peak, was an influential
concept during this time.

3. Martin Seligman's Presidential Address (1998): The term "positive psychology" was
popularized by psychologist Martin Seligman in his presidential address to the American
Psychological Association (APA) in 1998. Seligman argued that psychology had become too
focused on pathology and dysfunction and called for a shift toward the scientific study of
human strengths and positive experiences.

4. Founding of the Positive Psychology Centre (1999): Following his presidential address,
Martin Seligman founded the Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Pennsylvania.
The centre became a hub for research and education in positive psychology.

5. Publication of "Authentic Happiness" (2002): Seligman's book "Authentic Happiness"

further introduced the principles of positive psychology to a wider audience. In the book, he
outlined the PERMA model, which identifies five essential elements of well-being: Positive
Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.

6. Positive Psychology Journals and Research (2000s): The 2000s saw the establishment of
journals dedicated to positive psychology, such as the "Journal of Positive Psychology."
Researchers began to publish studies focusing on topics like happiness, life satisfaction, and
positive interventions.

7. Positive Interventions and Applications (2000s-Present): Positive psychology has led to the
development of various interventions aimed at enhancing well-being. These interventions
include gratitude exercises, mindfulness practices, and strengths-based approaches. Positive
psychology principles have been applied in various fields, including education, business, and
healthcare.

8. Global Impact and Integration (2000s-Present): Positive psychology has gained

international recognition, and researchers around the world contribute to the field. It has
become an integral part of psychology education and is applied in diverse cultural contexts.

Positive psychology continues to evolve, with ongoing research exploring new dimensions of
well-being, positive interventions, and the integration of positive psychology principles into
various domains of human life. The field remains focused on promoting a more
comprehensive understanding of what contributes to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Summary:
Positive psychology, as defined by Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000), focuses on how
individuals thrive in the face of adversity. It aims to identify and enhance human strengths
and virtues, promoting well-being for individuals and communities. Martin Seligman and
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, key proponents, faced criticism for not sufficiently acknowledging
the contributions of humanistic psychology. The historical perspective reveals the influence
of phenomenology and existentialism on the development of humanistic psychology, which
emerged as a reaction against the disease model dominating traditional psychology.

Key Points:

1. Definition of Positive Psychology:

- Study of human prosperity in adversity.
- Goals: identify and enhance human strengths, virtues, and well-being.

2. Criticism and Acknowledgment:

- Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi accused of not crediting humanistic psychology.
- Journal of Humanistic Psychology dedicated an issue to bridge the historical gap.

3. Influence of Phenomenology and Existentialism:

- Phenomenology more influential than existentialism in shaping humanistic psychology.
- Critics found existentialism "overly pessimistic."
4. Shift from Traditional Psychology:
- Dissatisfaction with the disease modelled psychologists to focus on positive phenomena.
- Turned to existentialism and phenomenology for a holistic understanding of human
development.

5. Disagreement with Psychoanalysts and Behaviourists:

- Disagreement due to mechanomorphic and reductionistic views of behaviorists.
- Humanists emphasize studying humans as wholes, more than the sum of their parts.

6. Historical Roots in Modern Psychology:

- Humanistic views traced back to William James, John Dewey, and G. Stanley Hall.
- William James considered "America’s first positive psychologist."

7. William James' Methodology:

- Advocated positivistic methodology in science.
- Emphasized combining positivistic and phenomenological methods (radical empiricism).

8. William James' Questions (1906):

- Addressed limits of human energy and how to stimulate and release it for optimal use.
- Reflects James' interest in optimal human functioning and its relationship to experience.

9. Emergence of Humanistic Psychology (1950s):

- Formally began in the 1950s in Europe and the United States.
- Maslow advocated studying healthy, creative individuals and self-actualized persons.

10. Term "Positive Psychology" Origin:

- Coined by Maslow in the last chapter of "Motivation and Personality" (1954).
- Maslow criticized psychology for focusing more on shortcomings than on human
potential.

11. Maslow's Critique of Psychology:

 - Psychology successful on the negative side, revealing shortcomings, illnesses, sins.
- Limited understanding of human potential, virtues, achievable aspirations, and full
psychological height.

12. Positive Psychology's Mission:

- Aims to address the imbalance by focusing on the positive aspects of human experience
and potential.
Summary:
The passage discusses the similarities between positive psychology and humanistic
psychology, emphasizing that both fields are concerned with the quality of human experience
and well-being. It explores the three pillars proposed by Seligman in positive psychology and
compares them to the ideas of James, Maslow, and other humanists. Despite some perceived
distancing from humanistic psychology by Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi due to
methodological differences, the passage argues that humanistic psychology values research,
incorporating both positivistic and qualitative methodologies.

Key Points:

1. Definition of Humanistic Psychology:

- Concerned with the quality of human experience.
- Primarily an orientation toward the whole of psychology, focusing on topics like love,
creativity, growth, self-actualization, and courage.

2. Similarities with Positive Psychology:

- Positive psychology shares similarities with humanistic psychology in its focus on
subjective experiences, personal growth, and the creation of a health-fostering culture.
- Seligman's pillars in positive psychology reflect ideas from James, Maslow, and other
humanists.

3. Criticism of Humanistic Psychology by Seligman:

- Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi distance themselves from humanistic psychology due to
perceived unscientific methodologies and inadequate empirical foundation.
- Critique includes the assertion that humanistic psychology lacks a cumulative empirical
base.
4. Response to Criticism:
- Taylor suggests that the critique of humanistic psychology as anti-scientific results from
differing ideas of research methodologies.
- Humanistic psychology is argued to have a research base using both positivistic and
phenomenological designs.

5. Research in Humanistic Psychology:

- Bohart and Greening argue that humanism values research broadly, including both
positivistic and qualitative methods.
- Shapiro points out that Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi ignore the extensive research base
in humanistic psychology, published in journals like the Journal of Humanistic Psychology.

6. Ignored Contributions of Humanistic Psychology:

- Criticism that Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi ignore seminal and foundational works of
humanistic psychologists in the special issue of the American Psychologist (2000) on
happiness, excellence, and optimal human functioning.
- Shapiro notes the limited references to respected figures like Rogers, Maslow, May, and
others in the special issue.
Summary:
The passage discusses the roots of positive psychology, emphasizing its common goals and
interests with humanistic psychology. The main difference lies in their preference for
different research methodologies—humanists leaning towards qualitative methods, while
positive psychologists use quantitative and reductionistic approaches. The passage highlights
the need for a more inclusive and accepting approach, suggesting that positive psychology
should embrace its historical roots and incorporate phenomenology for a more unified
understanding of optimal human functioning.

Key Points:

1. Roots of Positive Psychology:

- Evidence suggests positive psychology traces its roots back to William James.

2. Common Goals with Humanistic Psychology:

- Positive psychology and humanistic psychology share common goals and interests.
3. Differences in Research Methodologies:
- Humanists prefer qualitative methods to assess the "whole man."
- Positive psychologists employ rigorous, quantitative, and reductionistic methods.

4. Metaphor of "Low-Ceiling" Psychology:

- Maslow's metaphor: Investigating human potential only through positivistic methods is
like measuring a six-foot-tall individual in a room with a five-foot ceiling.
- Humanists use both positivistic and phenomenological research methodologies.

5. Challenges of Reductionistic Methods:

- Rich questions whether creativity and the good life can be understood through structural
equation modeling (reductionistic methods).

6. Projects and Publications in Positive Psychology:

- Efforts by Seligman and colleagues have led to projects like the Telos Taxonomy Project
and publications like "Human Strengths: A Classification Manual" (2004).

7. Call for Embracing History and Phenomenology:

- Positive psychology needs to embrace its history and be more accepting of
phenomenology.
- Rathunde suggests adopting an experiential perspective for a more unified psychology of
optimal human functioning.

8. Importance of Phenomenological Existential Methodology:

- Phenomenological existential methodology is considered essential to explore questions
about what makes life fulfilling or meaningful.

9. Vision of a "Fourth Force" in Psychology:

- The integration of humanistic and positive psychology might lead to the emergence of a
powerful and important "fourth force" in psychology.