Positive Psychology - Essay Example

Positive psychology leads to positive self-thinking which results again in happier lives, through the use of a scientific method that has been used to explore it. The theory of positive psychology indicates that an individual achieves happiness if one will have a combination of signature strengths such as humanity and persistence among others. The paper seeks to discuss how in a supportive or treatment setting positive psychology could be used to improve someone’s life.

According to Seligman's theory, one can only be happy when one has pleasant life, good life, and a meaningful life which depicts the three dimensions that can be cultivated leading to happiness. A pleasant life is realized by individuals when they learn to appreciate basic pleasures like companionship, bodily needs, low-income status, and the environment in which an individual is operating among others (Seligman, 1991). The good life of an individual for one to improve the life can only be achieved as long as an individual will discover the unique virtues and strengths he or she has, and if the unique virtues and strengths are employed and used creatively, it will lead to enhanced life and improved one. Values like self-esteem, and patience among others if practiced in our endeavors will be more satisfying if one can use them in our daily life will mean a good life will be achieved. This can only be acquired if an individual has the strength to exploit the virtues used in life which will contribute to the happiness of the individual. On the other hand, we have a meaningful life that individuals can use and make difference in their lives.  The theory is concerned with how human beings can use their unique strengths for a purpose greater than ourselves and this means that it is concerned with conflicting views of human happiness (Seligman 1996). The theory is also concerned with how human beings can care for and nurture the potential strength an individual has and thus sacrifice should be emphasized for the greater purpose in our life to improve it.   

Seligman’s theory indicates that the present life of an individual should be concerned with the past, present, and future. When dealing with any problem or difficult situation, one should negate the negative emotions and use other strategies so that he or she can be happier. In the future, one should hope for better things and be optimistic, while in the present one should avoid stress and deal with negative emotions (Seligman, 2002). The good life theory can be achieved if an individual has virtues like wisdom, courage, love and humanity, justice, spirituality, and transcendence among others and if practiced will lead to an improved life. The strengths of individuals are those moral traits that can be learned and if combined with talents will bring happiness and improved life. Lastly, the meaningful life theory incorporates creativity and the strengths that create a greater sense of meaning for the individual and will improve the lives of individuals. Meaningful life brings positive emotions to individuals since after being creative about a thing later it will work and this will foster a deep more enduring life.