© Martin Kašpar, 20101 Positive Psychology What is it ?

© Martin Kašpar, 2010 1

Positive Psychology

What is it ?


Let´s start

Positive psychology as a key to understanding why are people (un)happy

Who am I ?


Themes for discussion

What is positive psychology?

Where can you attend any course and who is giving lessons?

What kind of contribution is there waiting for you?



Why can be positive psychology a key to human happines?

Abraham Maslow Karen Horney

Aaron Antonovsky

Father: Martin Seligman



Science, that works

origin in Humanistic psychology, which lacked scientific rigor &

metamorphosed into the self-help/new age movement

Applying Positive Psychology enables us to appreciate and

reinforce the existing strengths and virtues in both

personal and organisation fields. This does not mean that we

should avoid dealing with problems, but rather that we should

deal with them from a positive and realistic perspective

(Positive Leadership).



self-help movement lacks substance by over promising & under delivering

research has the substance, but lack the accessibility, few read academic peer reviewed research

“The objective of positive psychology is to unite the rigor of academic research with the accessibility of the self-help movement.” .



Goals – Positive Leadership

Create a culture that focuses on strengths of character

Empower individuals, teams, and the organisation, while achieving business goals

Experience a new and inspiring approach to work

Appreciate and amplify what works at the personal, group, and organisational levels

Emphasise successes and strengths as a method for achieving continuous organisational growth and success



Researchers and practitioners have found that individuals utilizing its principles can enhance work and home life by:

Accessing strengths that act as buffers against unfavorable circumstances.

Balancing immediate personal needs with long-term goals.

Developing a more resilient psychological immune system based on optimism and self esteem.



$ 40,000 a year to be a student of Harvard University or 1 Day course - $1195 +GST or 2 Days course - $1995 +GST in Richmond, Victoria, Australia or $ 820, June 7 - August 27, 2010 with Penn LPS

Online Learning or ...

or ask me for Harvard video lectures No.1, 3 and 4

all lectured by Dr. Tal Ben - Shahar- globally recognised as the world’s leading teacher of Positive Psychology, Harvard’s

most popular teacher and leader of the Wharton Leadership Program



Dr. Ben-Shahar teaches the class because he would have wanted someone to teach him a class like this.

He came to Harvard in 1992 as a computer science, major everything was going well “objectively”, except that he was unhappy.

He switched to psychology & philosophy to find out how to become happier.

Positive psychology´s impact of making Dr. Ben-Shahar happier drove him to become a teacher.



These lessons are about exploring the relatively new field of Positive Psychology as well as exploring ourselves.

1st year in 2002 attended this course as a seminar – 8 students & 2 dropped out

2nd year 300+

3rd year 850 students – largest course at Harvard



Tal Ben-Shahar combines scientific studies and scholarly research in Positive Psychology, Appreciative Inquiry and Strengths Based Leadership into practical principles you can apply to business, family, education, health, economics and community.

Tal Ben-Shahar consults for Fortune 500 companies around the world. His book “Happier” was translated into more than 20 languages, and is an international bestseller

To accept and experience painful emotions is the basic sign of human beeing, to open ourselves up to positive emotions and to be happier

Who does not experience painful emotions: two kind of people – psychopats and dead



More about Positive Psychology tells Tal Ben-Shahar on

http://bigthink.com/ideas/16653

Big Think Interview with Tal Ben-Shahar Tal Ben-ShaharPsychology Lecturer, Harvard UniversityA conversation with the author of “The Pursuit of Perfect” and “Happier.”

October 2, 2009 | In Love, Sex, & Happiness



Martin E. P. Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness

If you're a “rat racer,” who lives in the hope of being happy in the future, and yet is unable to enjoy the here-and-now ...

If you're a “hedonist,” who finds some pleasure in the good things in life - good wine, good food, good company - and yet is unable to enjoy lasting fulfilment ...

If you're a “nihilist,” who’s completely given up on finding happiness ... you can learn to be happier!


A real life "The course has exceeded my expectations by a long shot! Tal's lectures are well

organized and I especially appreciated the routine grounding of the material in research. I have learned very much about myself and the concepts of Positive Psychology. I genuinely feel the course has changed my life. It has inspired me to enroll in the MPOD program at Case Western this fall!"

Kevin, Assistant Dean for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, Doha, Qatar.

"This course brought together what I have been studying for the past 10 years. I have shared what I have learned with many friends, coworkers and family members and all have expressed a noticeable change in me. It made sense and was backed by research. Most importantly, the delivery of the subject was personable, inspiring and has truly made a difference in my life."

Bob, Sr. Clinical Science Manager, Covina, CA, USA

“The Foundations of Positive Psychology Course was the most profound, life changing information I have ever encountered in an academic psychology course. It will undoubtedly have a life transforming impact on you, your family, friends, and others.”

Patrick, Military Psychologist, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.


A real life

Almost everyone wants to be happier or to feel happiness for longer time

Here we have a practical tool how to be happier – so what do we wait for?


Before we finish: What does it mean Personal engagement in Positive

psychology and its practical application can bring you to a new level of the life.

The way is not simple, but it pays off


Before we finish: What does it meanRemember: Positive psychology enables you to develop a

more resilient psychological immune system based on optimism and self esteem.

Appreciate and amplify what works at the personal, group, and organisational levels.

You can learn to be happier!


My personal expectations

To learn, to understand, to apply and to be a good example for others


Last important thing: Gratitude


Questions?

Comments?

Documents

© Martin Kašpar, 20101 Positive Psychology What is it ?