Positive psychology is the scientific study of ideal human functioning. The concept can be clearly defined by thoroughly examining the pragmatic level view and the meta-psychological level view. The meta-psychological level defines positive psychology as an attempt to correct the imbalance in the focus of research attention and the objectives of practices in psychology. According to this definition, it is essential to understand clearly the whole concept of human experiences, including distress, health, and well-being, suffering via fulfillment, and inevitable loss. This level has provided language and structure that locates research on positive states, traits, and outcomes relative to one another to allow relation, understanding, and communication between various psychological applications, interventions, and inquiry. The pragmatic level view explains what positive psychologists do, especially in their research and practice. The idea defines positive psychology by distinguishing different levels of positive psychology analysis. The sources of interest in positive psychology are among the levels of analysis that psychologists embrace as significant facilitators of the techniques and processes used in their practice area. Their sources are made up of various aspects like the early surroundings and experiences and the genetic foundation of well-being that permit virtues and strengths. Another level of analysis is the processes of interest for positive psychology, which gives the psychological ingredients, including behaviors, virtues, and strengths that result in a good life and the desire to find meaning in and fulfillment in life by overcoming life. The mechanisms of interest in this field are critical since they form another level of analysis. It entails those additional psychological factors leading to a good life, for example, working environments, social and personal relationships, and communities. Lastly, the outcomes of interest to positive psychology define the states of a good life, including happiness, health, positive communities that promote good lives, and political, environmental, and economic policies that bring about harmony and sustainability. Proper understanding of positive psychology helps in appreciating its various parts and has vital implications for understanding where positive psychology is now and its possible futures.
Research into positive psychology dates back to the early 20 th century. In 1998, positive psychology had undergone significant evolutions; this was contributed by scholars and the fact that Martin E.P embraced it as his campaign theme when vying for the post of the American Psychological Association president. He conducted deep research on the topic to learn more about key variables and identify areas that needed to be reviewed and implemented. Following his holiday meeting in winter 1997 with Csikszentmihalyi and a series of other inspirational moments with his daughter, he noted that psychology was slowly abandoning its critical missions that were in place before the advent of World War II. The missions included helping people live better, productive, and fulfilling lives, promoting and improving mental and emotional health, and identifying and supporting talents among individuals. The establishment of the Veterans Association in 1946 helped in ensuring the mental and psychological health was catered for since veterans face immeasurable trauma, especially after deployment, which forces some of them to engage in destructive behaviors such as excessive smoking and withdrawal. In 1947, the National Institute of Mental Health was also founded. It had the mandate of handling national psychology issues and considered psychology as a vital discipline that speeds the healing process depending on the illness. Seligman, after winning the presidency position, was determined to shift the focus to promote positive psychology. He initiated programs and conducted meetings with significant scholars such as Mexico and Akumal, who advised and helped make significant positive psychology issues. He later formed a steering committee to help establish and speed up his presidential initiatives. The Positive Psychology Network followed this. After Seligman's presidential address, many positive psychology books and journals were written seven years later, which helped people understand psychology better. The first positive psychology journal was published in 2006, and this was a significant achievement in this field.
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Seligman and other key players have successfully catalyzed and shaped positive psychology by providing research funding and good research leadership. Previous studies suggest that positive psychology reforms and campaigns started back in 1998. It argues that positive psychology has always been there ever since. However, it passed unrecognized and hence uncelebrated. In the early years, people mainly concentrated on negative psychology. Professionals cared about finding solutions to the negative side instead of implementing ways to enhance the positive part. The negative side focused more on the shortcomings, sins, illnesses and had little interest in achievable aspirations, potentialities, and virtues.
All the structural fundamentals of positive psychology are in place at the moment. A wide variety of elements have been established: an array of positive psychology books, several journals, dedicated conferences on positive psychology, funding streams and prices, and increased interest via media such including radio and television. Therefore, from many perspectives, it is clear positive psychology is at home. However, it stands at a crossroads, and many factors could influence its paths, such as support from government bodies and individuals. Some individuals hope that positive psychology will disappear in the future, especially those using the meta-psychological level. Young scholars who grow up researching and learning more about positive psychology are likely to create balance.
The application of the pragmatic approach of positive psychology helps us realize that we still have a long way to go since we still understand the virtues and strengths of this matter. Besides, we are grasping and developing interpersonal and social structures that help promote good lives and appreciate the outcomes of initial goals and objectives.
Positive psychology will bring about meta-psychological integration, which will help researchers and scholars better understand the positive and negative and focus on the positive side, particularly on happiness and strengths. Sometimes, positive psychology may fail to yield direct integrations. Positive psychology is sometimes a complex issue that needs to be handled carefully. It is imperative to consider factors that may influence its direction and help reach a tipping point. One of the factors is offering professional psychology training. The education system should ensure that students pursuing psychology are taught positive psychology perspectives and given adequate knowledge to help them balance their understanding of both positive and negative human conditions.
The meta-psychological goals are likely to be achieved if academic and applied psychological training are fused. Another factor is research output which needs to yield quality output characterized by practical relevance and methodological precision. Funding and stakeholder decisions is another factor that will help catalyze the positive psychology. Positive psychology exists in a political and social context driven by different agendas. Providing financial assistance to important stakeholders such as healthcare centers, governments, and learning institutions helps in ensuring positive psychology work. Positive psychologists may consider some issues to advance their movements: synthesizing the positive and the negative by connecting psychology with other disciplines.
Additionally, building on the historical antecedents and existing knowledge to gain much from other areas. Integrating across levels of analysis could also help advance the positive psychologists’ movement as it helps in gaining much by integrating significant concepts with their understanding of psychology. Positive psychologists should also strive to understand between description and prescription.
