Positive psychology

• The focus of positive psychology is to ensure that all people lead productive and fulfilling lives by improving their wellbeing.
• In education- lack of empirical evidence. Spence and Shortt(2007) said research tends to be based on small-scale interventions. Seligman et al(2009) said further research needs to be conducted. An article in the Financial Times(2007) said society will pay more for students to leave with less academic achievements.
• In education- significant benefits to promote skills parents desire. Gillham et al(1995) found students on a PRP showed a 22% reduction in symptoms of depression. Seligman et al(2009) found PRP students had better social skills, by increasing well-being it enhances traditional goals of classroom learning.
• In the workplace- the cause and effect relationship may be undetermined by the fact working increases money. Diener et al(1993) found a correlation of +0.12 between income and happiness. It may be money that increases happiness.
• In the workplace- MEE-high introduced the concept of 'flow theory'. Csikszentmihalyi and LeFeure(1989) found people experience 'flow' situations during leisure. Including positive psychology in the workplace leads to increased wellbeing.
• In leisure time- Action for Happiness have an impact on UK society. All confounding variables have to be controlled to determine a cause and effect relationship. It may not be relevant in society for all socio-economic groups.
• In leisure time- can be used to advise people how to feel greater in their home lives. Csikszentmihalyi and LeFeure(1989) found people who increase their experience of 'flow' are more conscious and more active during leisure time.
• Economic/social implications- there is evidence of high costs to businesses and the economy when looking at unhappiness. Being unproductive costs the UK £26 billion per year, if workplace stress was reduced and happiness was increased it would save the UK billions of pounds.
• Conclusion- it has stimulated research which helps improve wellbeing. Julie Norem found too much positive thinking may be negatively questioning the relevance of positive psychology, it may not be helpful to everyone.