Chapter 1

Introduction to
Positive Psychology
 Objectives
• Explain the concepts related to Positive
Psychology.
• Identify the history of Positive Psychology
across time along with its progress.

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 Mental Health Check….
• Kamusta ka? 
• Name one thing that you are grateful
about.

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 Let’s try: Case of Nancy
Nancy is a 38-year old woman who lives along with her
cat, following separation from her long-term partner two
years ago. She frequently feels tired and has difficulty
sleeping. She also noted some instances of weight loss.
Nancy started to reorganize her routine by way of trying
her best to take a long walk at their backyard. She enjoys
going to the grocery and organizing these purchases in
her kitchen cabinets.

She still often feels the emptyiness and had this urge of
going back to her bed.
 How do you view the case?
 What psychological constructs that
automatically popped from your head?
 How do we often define/describe people?

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 Why are Filipinos one of the
happiest?

https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/01/02/18/ph-third-happiest-country-in-the-world-gallup-survey-retrieved on September 09, 2021

 Definition
• Positive Psychology—a branch of psychology
in which positive emotions, traits, and
institutions are scientifically studied with a
view to generating knowledge that will
facilitate living pleasant, engaged, and
meaningful lives.

• This does not aim to change the previous

school of thoughts but rather augment them.
 The Clamor of Healing!

 cure mental illness

 enhance the lives of normal population
 study geniuses

CULTURE OF VICTIMOLOGY
 Proponent
Martin Seligman
-born in New York
-had his BA in Philosophy (summa cum laude) from
Princeton University
-Ph. D. in Psychology from University of Pennsylvania
-initial specialization on Clinical Psychology (see
Learned Helplessness) and was inspired by Aaron Beck
-was elected President of APA and his flagship program
was “POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY”

Photo: The Pursuit of Happiness

 Brief History of PP

 Greeks—Aristotle’s concept of Good life!

•Pleasure is not the sole attainment of life.
 Brief History of PP

 Utilitarianism—”the greatest good for the

greatest number of people” / “greatest
happiness principle”

• Happiness is measurable—Pleasure is part of

big picture of HAPPY LIFE.
 Brief History of PP

 William James – concept of emotions.

• We feel before we act.
 Brief History of PP

 Humanistic Psychology –backlash against

psychoanalysis, behaviorism, conditioning.
•Growth, human agency, freedom
• Lacks empirical support?
 Basic Assumptions and Principles
• how people can live “happier” lives
• focus is not on “pathology” but on the
strength of the human psyche

Clinical Psychology Positive Psychology

• dynamics of human personality though the

lens of strengths, well-being, and flourishing

Photo: canadahelps.org Photo: theguardian.com

 Basic Assumptions and Principles
• Anchored on humanistic psychology—views
a human being as irreducible to parts,
needing connection, meanings, and
creativity

• Human beings are endowed with capacity

to design their individual paths.
 PERMA Model
Y
O

P-ositive Emotions
feelings of happiness or pleasures (e.g. watching
your favorite basketball team winning the game;
eating a delectable ice cream)
 “Basta
PERMA Model puso mo
mapap

E=ngagement
refers to psychological connection to activities or
organizations that produce flow
(e.g. reading a novel allows you be absorbed by it
to the point of not noticing the time)
 PERMA Model
“I care about
you.”

R-elationships
-include feeling socially integrated, cared about and
supported by other, and satisfied with one’s social
connections
(e.g. presence of strong and meaningful social connections)
 PERMA Model
“Mama, this
is for you.”

M-eaning
-believing that one’s life is valuable and feeling
connected to something greater than oneself
(e.g. purpose on why we do things even in light of
suffering)
 PERMA Model
w

A-ccomplishment
-making progress toward goals, feeling capable to do
daily activities, and having a sense of achievement
(e.g. accomplishing daily tasks are achievements as
they contribute to long term-goals)
 PERMA Model

These five pillars are the main factors in the

achievement of the overall well-being of person.
VIA: CHARACTER STRENGTHS AND VIRTUES
(Peterson & Seligman, 2004)

morally and universally valued across cultures

knowing your constellation of character

strengths (dynamics of personality) help people
live happier lives.
 VIA: CHARACTER STRENGTHS AND VIRTUES
• Each person has each of 24 character strengths
but in varying degrees.

• It is comprised of 24 Character Strengths which

fall under 6 broad virtue categories.

• Your character strengths are the personality

characteristics that help you achieve a life in
well-being.
VIA: CHARACTER STRENGTHS AND VIRTUES
VIA: CHARACTER STRENGTHS AND VIRTUES
 Where is it now?

Positive psychology is situated along with other disciplines and sub-

disciplines of psychology
 Where is it now?

Positive psychology is situated along with other disciplines and sub-

disciplines of psychology
 Where is it now?
 The Psychological Association of the
Philippines have its own Special Interest
Group (SIG) for Positive Psychology.
 Where is it now?

 Dr. Allan Bernardo of DLSU (Manila) is the

current research director of HopeLab, which
looks into consequences of Hope on well-
being and some positive outcomes.
 Trajectory of Positive Psychology
• Positive psychology emphasizes well-being,
satisfaction, happiness, interpersonal skills,
perseverance, talent, wisdom, and personal
responsibility.
• What makes life worth living?
• Helping people become more self-organizing
and self-directed
 Trajectory of Positive Psychology
It rises above:
• the categorization and pathologization of
humans and human experience
•the assumption that so-called mental disorders
exist in individuals rather than in the
relationships between the individual and other
individuals and the culture at large
 Trajectory of Positive Psychology
It rises above:
• the notion that understanding what is worst
and weakest about us is more important than
understanding what is best and bravest.
 Try it.. You will like it!
 The HAPPINESS PIE! 
• You should get a sheet of blank paper and
draw a large circle, or happiness pie, to
represent your life and to what you allocate
your energy to, such as family, health,
exercise, goals, spiritual practices,
work and play.
• As you reflect on these, make ‘slices’ into the
pie to reflect how much energy you devote to
each.

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Try it.. You will like it!
 The HAPPINESS PIE! 
• Show the class your pie.
__________________________________
• Does your slices reflect the amount of
importance you put on these things?
• What can you do to widen the slice?
• List 5 things you can do to devote more
time to be happy.

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 Asynchronous Activity #1
 Look for a published journal that investigated a
construct/variable on Positive Psychology. Answer
the following questions:
1. A brief summary of the study (include the
variables, methods used, findings, and
conclusion).
2. What do you think is the impact of the study to
you and the society?
3. What did you realize after hearing your group
mates’ outputs? (NOTE: Composed of 3
members, share your journal articles).

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 Asynchronous Activity #1
In a Google Document, follow this format:
Name Course/Yr/Sec:

Title of the study:

Answer 1
Answer 2
Answer 3

A photo/screenshot of your online group sharing.

Deadline: Psych 401-November 11, 2021, 12:00 PM

Psych 402-November 16, 2021 12:00 PM

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