Positive psychology has become a phenomenon, yet some critics worry that practical applications have outshone scientific research in this field. This article investigates some of the primary criticisms against positive psychology.
1. Happiness is a state of mind
Since psychology's beginnings in the mid-1800s, its primary emphasis has been on pathology - what goes wrong in life. Although some attention was also paid to wellbeing, success, and high functioning; most funding and research focused on those suffering from mental illness or trauma.
Martin Seligman was profoundly affected by a young daughter's comment: if you want to be happy, stop complaining." In response, positive psychology emerged with papers and best-selling books being produced on its concept; its founder established a research center dedicated to its study; its ideas spread into corporations, schools, medical communities, military branches; self-help industries were launched; an entire culture of mood-enhancing pharmaceutical drugs was fostered as well as university courses offering similar subjects.
At the core of this revolution is the belief that happiness can be defined, measured and taught. Happiness equals genetic set point plus circumstances of life plus factors under voluntary control - questionnaires can measure it; trainers can teach it - making corporations more productive, soldiers more resilient, students more engaged in classwork and marriages happier than before as well as increasing people's likelihood to help others and invest in their community.
Happiness researchers have also demonstrated how you can change your levels of happiness through various behaviors and mindsets, such as gratitude, optimism and mindfulness practices. By cultivating these practices on an ongoing basis, happiness researchers believe you can transform your level of well-being significantly. It takes work but can be one of the most fulfilling projects ever!
Happiness is a state of mind encapsulated by the popular phrase, "Happiness comes from within." Studies such as those conducted with participants listening to music meant to make them happier have also shown this concept; one group that tried positively reported being happier overall. Thus happiness can be learned just like any other skill - spending just minutes daily practicing this one skill could open doors of happiness that might otherwise remain closed off for everyone else.
2. Happiness is a skill
Happiness is an internal state that can be learned. It doesn't involve owning all the material things or living in exclusive locales - although these may temporarily increase happiness levels - more about managing mood and emotions, rewiring your brain for calmness and gratitude, and taking notice of and appreciating everyday small pleasures.
Martin Seligman, one of the founders of positive psychology, credits his daughter's rebuke as being what propelled this movement forward: "If you stop whining you'll feel better." This was an eye-opening realization for him as it made him realize that psychology had too often focused on diagnosing, treating, and even preventing problems - so he set out to change that focus.
The goal of the movement is to teach individuals how to cultivate happiness not just in their personal lives but also at work and in society as a whole. This can be accomplished by learning to appreciate life's small pleasures, practicing mindfulness techniques, spending more time with loved ones and focusing on what brings you fulfillment and satisfaction. Furthermore, many companies have begun realizing the significance of fostering an atmosphere of well-being within their workplace and are taking steps toward cultivating it internally.
However, not everyone supports this movement. Critics have asserted that positive psychology is too simplistic and lacking in reality while other critics have attacked corporations' profiteering off positive psychology or researchers who think merely thinking or repeating positive phrases will bring happiness.
Studies have also demonstrated that people who focus too heavily on feeling happy tend to adjust in ways that do not lead to long-term happiness, known as "hedonic adaptation" first described by psychologists Philip Brickman and Donald T. Campbell in 1971 in their essay Hedonic Adaptation; their research found lottery winners who experienced excitement from winning jackpot quickly adjusted their expectations to lower levels of happiness compared to those who didn't win as soon as their euphoria passed.
3. Happiness is a choice
Happiness is a choice and something we can all learn to achieve. You have two choices when it comes to happiness - either you believe that your circumstances define who you are, or you can choose to embrace life and see yourself as the master of your destiny. People who view themselves as victims tend to feel powerless over their situation and lack motivation or self-worth due to external causes of their failures.
But, if you choose happiness over complacency, you can find ways to be content in your current circumstances and discover joy in small things. Happiness is a state of mind which can be fostered through daily activities and habits like exercise, healthy eating habits and spending quality time with loved ones.
Your best option for happiness lies within yourself; practice mindfulness to focus on being present and release any negative thoughts. Happiness is not a destination but an ongoing journey and developing positive thoughts takes both effort and time, yet is always worth the investment of time and energy.
If you want to experience happiness, changing your mindset may help. Negative thoughts can cause us to focus on the problems in our lives which can lead to depression and anxiety. You could also practice gratitude - which involves acknowledging all you have while appreciating it - which could give the benefits of both strategies a try.
There are plenty of books, podcasts and articles on how to be happier; however, many of these tend to focus on individual needs rather than collective wellbeing; this can make people feel like failures when they can't achieve happiness on their own.
Happiness can be found even in poor neighborhoods, war-ravaged countries and ascetic monastic communities. People in these environments have learned to be content with their situation and find joy in simple pleasures despite differences in income among friends - something which can damage happiness if done too frequently. Instead, they focus on health, taking care of loved ones, minimizing social media use, and remaining disconnected from social networks - though some individuals may find this more challenging due to lifestyle factors or mental illnesses.
4. Happiness is a way of life
Since psychology first took shape in the mid to late 1800s, our understanding of happiness has been quite limited. Most psychology research and funding has focused on pathology - what was wrong with us - such as mental illness, depression trauma or tragedy; while happiness was seen more as something people experienced but could not measure or study directly.
But modern positive psychology offers an alternative approach. Its central tenet is that happiness can be defined, measured, and taught; its essence is an unstoppable force that enhances productivity in corporations, resilience in soldiers and relationships alike. Happiness researchers have even developed questionnaires to measure happiness while trainers teach it; discovering key components like pleasure engagement and meaning as key ingredients of well-being.
Pleasure is one component of happiness that can be found through activities such as spending time with family, engaging in hobbies and participating in the arts. Studies have also demonstrated that people can learn to find pleasure even during difficult or unpleasant circumstances. Eudaimonia, on the other hand, comes from seeking virtue and finding meaning in life - by prioritizing responsibilities, setting long-term goals, showing empathy towards others and living according to personal values.
Though the study of happiness remains relatively novel, global organizations and governments are becoming aware and supportive of its significance. As a result, society is shifting toward happiness as its focus rather than solely looking at GDP per capita as a measure of economic well-being.
But it is essential to keep in mind that happiness is not an end point but an ongoing journey, so we shouldn't approach it as something we can reach and then put down permanently. Instead, cultivating happiness must become part of everyday life with conscious effort and attention put towards cultivating it over time - as such, its cultivation will likely present itself with its share of challenges along the way; to ensure we thrive we must learn to adapt with uncertainty, embrace emotions, and adapt with our environment in order to thrive in life's journey.
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