Theory for Practice: Theory for Practice: Positive Psychology Positive Psychology

and Leadershipand Leadership

James O. PawelskiJames O. Pawelski

Director of Education and Senior Director of Education and Senior ScholarScholar

Positive Psychology CenterPositive Psychology Center

University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Harvard UniversityHarvard University

April 26, 2006April 26, 2006

William JamesWilliam James

Intellectual Intellectual knowledge vs. knowledge vs. experiential experiential knowledgeknowledge

New branch of New branch of psychology to study psychology to study optimal human optimal human functioningfunctioning

PreviewPreview

Philosophical introduction to positive Philosophical introduction to positive psychologypsychology

Psychological introduction to positive Psychological introduction to positive psychologypsychology

Application of positive psychology to leadershipApplication of positive psychology to leadership EducationEducation BusinessBusiness LawLaw MedicineMedicine

Is the glass half full, or half Is the glass half full, or half empty?empty?

Optimism in PsychologyOptimism in Psychology

A focus on good things.A focus on good things.

An expectation of good things.An expectation of good things.

A particular explanatory style.A particular explanatory style.

Optimism in PhilosophyOptimism in Philosophy

““This is the best of This is the best of all possible all possible worlds.”worlds.”

The glass is as full The glass is as full as it can get.as it can get.

Relative optimismRelative optimismG. W. G. W.

LeibnizLeibniz

Pessimism in PhilosophyPessimism in Philosophy

““This is the worst This is the worst of all possible of all possible worlds.”worlds.”

The glass is as The glass is as empty as it can empty as it can get.get.

Relative Relative pessimism.pessimism.

SchopenhauSchopenhauerer

Some New Thought Some New Thought and Eastern Viewsand Eastern Views

There is no such thing as evil.There is no such thing as evil.

The glass is completely full.The glass is completely full.

Absolute optimism.Absolute optimism.

Severe DepressionSevere Depression

There is no such thing as good.There is no such thing as good.

The glass is completely empty.The glass is completely empty.

Absolute pessimism.Absolute pessimism.

Who is right?Who is right?

Who cares?Who cares?

Clues from Etymology Clues from Etymology

Optimism – from Latin Optimism – from Latin optimusoptimus (best)(best)

Pessimism – from Latin Pessimism – from Latin pessimus pessimus (worst)(worst)

Meliorism – from Latin Meliorism – from Latin meliormelior (better)(better)

MeliorismMeliorism

““The doctrine that the world, or The doctrine that the world, or society, may be society, may be

improved and suffering alleviated improved and suffering alleviated through rightlythrough rightly

directed human effort.”directed human effort.”-Oxford English -Oxford English

DictionaryDictionary

William JamesWilliam James

Optimists—the salvation of the world is inevitableOptimists—the salvation of the world is inevitable

Pessimists—the salvation of the world is Pessimists—the salvation of the world is impossibleimpossible

““Meliorism treats salvation as neither inevitable Meliorism treats salvation as neither inevitable nor impossible. It treats it as a possibility, which nor impossible. It treats it as a possibility, which becomes more and more of a probability the becomes more and more of a probability the more numerous the actual conditions of salvation more numerous the actual conditions of salvation become.”become.”

Two Kinds of MeliorismTwo Kinds of Meliorism

Two Kinds of MeliorismTwo Kinds of Meliorism

Two Kinds of MeliorismTwo Kinds of Meliorism

Mitigative MeliorismMitigative Meliorism

-Focused on getting less of what we -Focused on getting less of what we don’t want.don’t want.

Two Kinds of MeliorismTwo Kinds of Meliorism

Mitigative MeliorismMitigative Meliorism

-Focused on getting less of what we -Focused on getting less of what we don’t want.don’t want.

-e.g. appendicitis-e.g. appendicitis

Two Kinds of MeliorismTwo Kinds of Meliorism

Mitigative MeliorismMitigative Meliorism

-Focused on getting less of what we -Focused on getting less of what we don’t want.don’t want.

-e.g. appendicitis-e.g. appendicitis

Constructive MeliorismConstructive Meliorism

-Focused on getting more of what we -Focused on getting more of what we do want.do want.

Two Kinds of MeliorismTwo Kinds of Meliorism

Mitigative MeliorismMitigative Meliorism

-Focused on getting less of what we -Focused on getting less of what we don’t want.don’t want.

-e.g. appendicitis-e.g. appendicitis

Constructive MeliorismConstructive Meliorism

-Focused on getting more of what we do -Focused on getting more of what we do want.want.

-e.g. physical fitness-e.g. physical fitness

Two Kinds of MeliorismTwo Kinds of Meliorism

Mitigative MeliorismMitigative Meliorism

-Focused on getting less of what we don’t -Focused on getting less of what we don’t want.want.

-e.g. appendicitis-e.g. appendicitis

Constructive MeliorismConstructive Meliorism

-Focused on getting more of what we do -Focused on getting more of what we do want.want.

-e.g. physical fitness-e.g. physical fitness

Different but related approachesDifferent but related approaches

Which Is Better?Which Is Better?

Mitigative Meliorism?Mitigative Meliorism?

Constructive Meliorism?Constructive Meliorism?

Which Would You Which Would You Choose?Choose?

Which Would You Which Would You Choose?Choose?

Red CapeRed Cape Mitigative MeliorismMitigative Meliorism

Which Would You Which Would You Choose?Choose?

Red CapeRed Cape Green Cape Green Cape Mitigative MeliorismMitigative Meliorism Constructive Meliorism Constructive Meliorism

Balanced MeliorismBalanced Meliorism

Continuum—complex situations may call for both Continuum—complex situations may call for both mitigative and constructive approachesmitigative and constructive approaches

Sometimes—shift toward mitigative meliorism is Sometimes—shift toward mitigative meliorism is neededneeded John Dewey—fighting propaganda, unjust powerJohn Dewey—fighting propaganda, unjust power

More often—shift toward constructive meliorism More often—shift toward constructive meliorism neededneeded PoliticsPolitics PsychologyPsychology

Department of PeaceDepartment of Peace

Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Walter Cronkite, and othersWalter Cronkite, and others

Secretary of PeaceSecretary of Peace To promote peace in our homes, in To promote peace in our homes, in

our nation, and around the world.our nation, and around the world. Vs. Defense DepartmentVs. Defense Department War on TerrorWar on Terror

PsychologyPsychology

Mainstream PsychologyMainstream Psychology MitigativeMitigative Focuses on helping us get less of what Focuses on helping us get less of what

we don’t wantwe don’t want

Positive PsychologyPositive Psychology ConstructiveConstructive Focuses on helping us get more of what Focuses on helping us get more of what

we do wantwe do want

A (Very) Brief Introduction A (Very) Brief Introduction to Positive Psychologyto Positive Psychology

Spearheaded by Martin SeligmanSpearheaded by Martin Seligman American Psychological Association (1998)American Psychological Association (1998) Presidential InitiativePresidential Initiative

Hundreds of researchers around the Hundreds of researchers around the worldworld International ConferencesInternational Conferences Burgeoning LiteratureBurgeoning Literature

Education Education Largest course at Harvard this termLargest course at Harvard this term First degree program started (Penn, 2005)First degree program started (Penn, 2005)

Three Pathways to Three Pathways to HappinessHappiness(Seligman)(Seligman)

1. The Pleasant Life1. The Pleasant Life

Positive subjective experiencePositive subjective experience

The Importance of Cultivating Positive The Importance of Cultivating Positive EmotionsEmotions Fredrickson: Broaden-and-Build TheoryFredrickson: Broaden-and-Build Theory

Positive EmotionsPositive Emotions About the past (gratitude, forgiveness)About the past (gratitude, forgiveness) About the present (mindfulness, savoring)About the present (mindfulness, savoring) About the future (hope, optimism)About the future (hope, optimism)

2. The Engaged Life2. The Engaged Life

Positive Individual TraitsPositive Individual Traits

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)(DSM)

Values in Action Classification of Values in Action Classification of Strengths and Virtues (VIA)Strengths and Virtues (VIA)

VIA Classification of Character VIA Classification of Character StrengthsStrengths

(Peterson and Seligman)(Peterson and Seligman)WisdomWisdom

-Creativity-Creativity-Curiosity-Curiosity-Judgment-Judgment-Love of Learning-Love of Learning-Perspective-Perspective

CourageCourage-Bravery-Bravery-Industry-Industry-Authenticity-Authenticity-Zest-Zest

LoveLove-Intimacy-Intimacy-Kindness-Kindness-Social -Social IntelligenceIntelligence

JusticeJustice-Citizenship-Citizenship-Fairness-Fairness-Leadership-Leadership

TemperanceTemperance-Forgiveness-Forgiveness-Humility-Humility-Prudence-Prudence-Self-Control-Self-Control

TranscendenceTranscendence-Awe-Awe-Gratitude-Gratitude-Hope-Hope-Humor-Humor-Spirituality-Spirituality

3. The Meaningful Life3. The Meaningful Life Positive InsitutionsPositive Insitutions

3. The Meaningful Life3. The Meaningful Life Positive InsitutionsPositive Insitutions

Using your Signature Strengths in the Using your Signature Strengths in the service of something larger than yourselfservice of something larger than yourself

-Community-Community-School-School-Church-Church-Nation-Nation-World-World

Positive InterventionsPositive Interventions

Is it possible to cultivate more Is it possible to cultivate more happiness?happiness?

Three blessings exerciseThree blessings exercise

Gratitude visitGratitude visit

Identify your signature strengths Identify your signature strengths and use them in a new way.and use them in a new way.

StudyStudy(Seligman, et al.)(Seligman, et al.)

Steen Happiness IndexSteen Happiness IndexExerciseExercise PrePre PostPost 1 Week1 Week 1 Month1 Month 6 6

MonthsMonths

MemoryMemory 58.5 61.6 58.3 57.6 58.758.5 61.6 58.3 57.6 58.7

BlessingsBlessings 57.1 58.8 59.9 62.2* 62.4*57.1 58.8 59.9 62.2* 62.4*

GratitudeGratitude 58.5 64.7* 61.8* 60.9* 59.058.5 64.7* 61.8* 60.9* 59.0

StrengthsStrengths 57.2 58.6 59.4* 62.1* 61.2*57.2 58.6 59.4* 62.1* 61.2*

Positive Psychology and Positive Psychology and LeadershipLeadership

Self-DevelopmentSelf-Development Subjective well-beingSubjective well-being Character strengthsCharacter strengths Meaning and PurposeMeaning and Purpose

Development of OthersDevelopment of Others Subjective well-beingSubjective well-being Character strengthsCharacter strengths Meaning and PurposeMeaning and Purpose

Call for LeadersCall for Leaders

What is your intended career?What is your intended career?

How can you apply positive How can you apply positive psychology perspectives in your psychology perspectives in your career?career?

How might you use constructive How might you use constructive meliorism to transform your meliorism to transform your profession?profession?

EducationEducation

John Yeager, Ed.D.John Yeager, Ed.D. Director of Character Excellence, Director of Character Excellence,

Culver AcademiesCulver Academies

HumanitiesHumanities PhilosophyPhilosophy LiteratureLiterature HistoryHistory Religious StudiesReligious Studies

BusinessBusiness

Giselle NicholsonGiselle Nicholson Full-time MAPP studentFull-time MAPP student MicrofinanceMicrofinance

Appreciative InquiryAppreciative Inquiry Gallup OrganizationGallup Organization

LawLaw

Dave Shearon, J.D.Dave Shearon, J.D. Executive Director of Tennessee Executive Director of Tennessee

Commission of Continuing Legal Commission of Continuing Legal Education and SpecializationEducation and Specialization

Law school is depressing (Sheldon Law school is depressing (Sheldon and Krieger)and Krieger)

Seeing the worstSeeing the worst Pessimistic thinkingPessimistic thinking Flexible optimismFlexible optimism

MedicineMedicine

Peter Minich, M.D., Ph.D.Peter Minich, M.D., Ph.D. Center for Clinician LeadershipCenter for Clinician Leadership Training physicians to be leadersTraining physicians to be leaders

Chris Feudtner, M.D., Ph.D.Chris Feudtner, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,

University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania Hope in palliative careHope in palliative care

For More InformationFor More Information

Introduction to Positive Psychology: Introduction to Positive Psychology: Authentic HappinessAuthentic Happiness (Seligman)(Seligman)

Positive Psychology Center: Positive Psychology Center: www.positivepsychology.orgwww.positivepsychology.org

VIA Signature Strengths Survey: VIA Signature Strengths Survey: www.authentichappiness.orgwww.authentichappiness.org

Master of Applied Positive Psychology: Master of Applied Positive Psychology: www.pennpositivepsych.orgwww.pennpositivepsych.org

Office Hours: 2:00-4:00 this afternoonOffice Hours: 2:00-4:00 this afternoon

MAPP StudentsMAPP Students

mapp-info@sas.upenn.edumapp-info@sas.upenn.edu

Remember Your Green Remember Your Green Cape!Cape!