Positive Psychology

While psychology typically focuses on the treatment of mental health disorders, positive psychology is the study of happiness and what makes life worthwhile. Positive psychology is the scientific study of the elements and influences that are responsible for optimal functioning. Martin Seligman, Ph.D., believes that positive feelings stem from personal strengths and virtues rather than from shortcuts, such as drugs, alcohol, chocolate, shopping and television. Seligman is a psychologist and author of several books on the topic of positive psychology. He wrote, “Positive emotions alienated from the exercise of character leads to emptiness, inauthenticity and depression.” Seligman differentiates between pleasure and gratification. The positive feelings from pleasurable activities such as watching a movie, eating dessert or spending time with friends cannot compare with the positive feelings of gratification. Gratification and good feelings come from using your strengths and virtues to meet a challenge. Strength and virtue are enduring positive traits, while pleasure is a momentary feeling that is not a personality trait. Positive and negative traits initiate feelings. The positive trait of optimism leads to the interpretation of problems as being temporary and controllable; the optimist believes their difficulties in life are surmountable. On the other hand, the trait of pessimism can lead to the belief that problems will endure forever and are uncontrollable. Pessimists are at least eight times more likely to develop depression when negative experiences occur and to have shorter lives.

Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths within six core virtues that serve us well in good or bad times. The six core virtues include: Wisdom and knowledge, courage, love and humanity, justice, temperance and spirituality and transcendence. These six virtues are further divided to help clarify what each entails. For example, wisdom includes the strengths of “curiosity, love of learning, judgment, originality, social intelligence and perspective.” We all have what Seligman calls “signature strengths.” Some strengths are more characteristic of us than others. He believes that emotional fulfillment comes from building our strengths rather than focusing entirely upon our weaknesses.

It is believed that happiness is partly emotional and dependent upon personality and heredity. It is also believed that everyone has a set point for happiness and while positive occurrences can momentarily increase happiness, we will automatically return to our happiness set point. In addition to being emotional, happiness is an intentional state of mind. Interestingly, research has shown that participating in activities that are somewhat risky, uncomfortable and sometimes bad can actually provide some of our most enjoyable experiences. I have my own examples of this but am choosing, somewhat hesitantly, to throw my sister under the bus. As a teen (many, many years ago), my sister was for the most part, a good girl. She and her group of friends decided to climb the fence at what was then the Riverside Pool and skinny dip. This group of girls are still in contact and I am pretty certain that they fondly reminisce about this time every time they are together (I’ve heard the story several times).

Happiness is not just about doing the things that we like to do but the happiest people are those who participate in activities they enjoy and challenge them. People who are curious initially experience being uncomfortable and vulnerable but conquering these feelings can lead to strength and wisdom. Happy people understand that pleasure and purpose are both necessary components of life. It’s okay to skip an occasional workout to have dinner with a friend, to take a nice hot bath or to occasionally eat ice cream. However, researchers have found that people who are happiest are those who can forgo short-term pleasures when there is an opportunity to do something that will lead toward the fulfillment of life goals. University of Wisconsin neuroscientist Richard Davidson found that advancement toward life’s goals helps us feel more involved and to better tolerate negative feelings that arise in our lives. Finding purpose in life is not easy. Try to think about activities in your life that are rewarding, activities in which you excel and activities for which you crave more time. Think about what energizes you and integrate those activities into your life for purpose and pleasure.

Happiness is important in life but there will be occasional sadness and loneliness. There are several components of happiness including purpose, playfulness, flexibility, autonomy, mastery and belonging. While you might not experience success in all of the areas, revel in those areas for which you do encounter success. Next week’s column will continue the topic of positive psychology.

[Melinda Shaver was born and raised in Independence and returned to the town in 2015 to open a private psychology practice in the Professional Building. She has doctoral degrees in exercise science and in clinical psychology. Dr. Shaver can be contacted at 620-926-1286.

Note: During the coronavirus quarantine, Dr. Shaver is available via telehealth, either phone or facetime.]