Positive Psychology

           An Introduction

Martin E. P. Seligman

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

ClarensGradxateniersiN

A science Of

positive subjective experience, positive indi-

vidual traits, and positive institutions promises to improve

quality of life and prevent the pathologies that arise when

pathology that kas dominated So much of our discipine

results in a model of the human being lacking me postive

features that make life worth living. Hope.

anvity, future mindedness, courage, Spintuality, responsi.

bility, and perseverance are ignored or explained as trans.

Tonnations of more authentic negative impulses.

The

15

orticles»n ths wileni

issue of the Amencan Psycholo-

gist discuss such issues as what enables happiness,

effects of autonomy and self-regulanon, ox optu

and creatvity come to fruition, The authors outline

point to

stand and butld the actors that allow' idividuals,

nines, and soctnes to

become a science largely about healing. If concentrates on

repainng damage within a disease model Of human func

This

almost exclusive attention to pathology

leets the fulfilled individual and the thriving community

The

aim of positive psychology is to begin to catalyze a

change in the locus o psychology from preoccupation onis

with repainne the worst things in lie to also building

The field of positive psychology at the subjective level

is shout valued subtective expenences: well-being. con

tentment, and satisfachon (in the past); hope and optimist

tor the future and lion

and happiness (in the present).

the

individual

level, it is about positive individual traits; the

capacity for love and vocation, courage, interpersonal

forgiveness, onginality,

future mindedness, spirituality, high talent, and wisdom,

the group level, It is about the CIVic Virtues and the insti-

mbions that move individnals towardbafer

citizenship:

responsio.

and wor

ethic

On this page, I collect a wide array of research articles on Positive Psychology – sorted by sub-domains. In most cases, links lead to PDFs that are available for free.

This page is work in progress – therefore, I am very much open to extending this list. If you feel something should be included, please shoot me an e-mail or write a comment, ideally providing the APA style citation and a link to a PDF. Additionally, please notify me if you find dead links etc. Enjoy – and please share!