What Is Positive Psychology—and Why Should We Care?
When most people think of psychology, they think of diagnosing mental illness, talking through problems, or maybe even lying on a therapist’s couch. But what if psychology also focused on the things that are going right in our lives?
That’s exactly what positive psychology is all about.
Instead of just asking, “What’s wrong with you?”, positive psychology asks, “What makes life worth living?” It’s a science that explores happiness, resilience, strengths, and well-being—what helps people not just survive, but thrive.
So, Where Did Positive Psychology Come From?
Although philosophers have pondered the good life for thousands of years, positive psychology as a scientific field only really took off in the late 1990s. It was sparked by psychologist Martin Seligman, who, during his time as president of the American Psychological Association, made a bold suggestion: Psychology had become too focused on fixing problems and not focused enough on what makes life fulfilling.
Seligman joined forces with others—like Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (who introduced the idea of “flow”)—to explore how people can build strengths, meaning, and satisfaction into their lives.
The PERMA Model: A Recipe for Flourishing
Seligman introduced the PERMA model to describe the key elements of well-being. Think of it as a five-ingredient recipe for a satisfying life:
• P – Positive Emotions: Joy, gratitude, hope. The little moments that make life feel good.
• E – Engagement: Being totally absorbed in an activity—like when you lose track of time doing something you love.
• R – Relationships: Supportive, meaningful connections with others.
• M – Meaning: Feeling that what you do matters and is part of something bigger than yourself.
• A – Accomplishment: Setting goals, working toward them, and feeling proud when you achieve them.
You don’t need to tick every box perfectly, but the more of these elements in your life, the better your overall well-being.
Why Focus on Strengths?
A big part of positive psychology is identifying and using your personal strengths. Instead of always trying to fix what’s “wrong,” it asks: What’s right with you?
Whether it’s kindness, creativity, perseverance, or humour, playing to your strengths can boost confidence, deepen relationships, and increase life satisfaction.
It’s Not About Pretending Everything’s Fine
Positive psychology doesn’t ignore pain, hardship, or mental illness. Life can be incredibly tough—and traditional therapy is still valid and important.
What positive psychology does offer is a way to build resilience and find meaning, even during or after adversity. It explores how people grow through tough experiences, sometimes even emerging stronger—what researchers call post-traumatic growth.
Try This: Simple Practices That Make a Difference
You don’t need a psychology degree to benefit from this field. A few science-backed practices you can try today:
• Gratitude journal: Write down three things you’re grateful for each night.
• Acts of kindness: Do something nice for someone—unexpectedly.
• Savouring: Slow down and fully enjoy a positive moment, whether it’s a morning coffee or a good conversation.
• Flow: Make time for activities that fully engage you—like painting, running, gardening, or playing music.
These small shifts can create a big ripple effect over time.
Positive psychology is about living well—not perfectly, but intentionally. It reminds us that we’re not just here to fix problems but to pursue joy, purpose, connection, and growth.
In a world that often pulls our attention toward what’s wrong, positive psychology nudges us back toward what’s good.
And that’s something worth paying attention to.
