At what point could we talk about the origin of welfare science?In 2000, Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi of the University of Claremont published an article in the American Psychologist magazine entitled Happiness, Excellence and Ideal Human Functioning. .
He devoted himself to a new field of psychology, called Positive Psychology, constituting the formal announcement or birth certificate of the new psychological movement (Seligman
- According to these authors.
- Positive psychology is a science of subjective experience that proposes studying the processes that underlie the positive qualities and emotions of the human being in order to improve people’s quality of life (Seligman.
Consequently, positive psychology would have much to say in a context such as the science of well-being, which as science studies the processes that contribute to the ideal functioning of the individual, the group and the institution (Gable and Haidt, 2005).
As a dedication and source of inspiration, he would seek to promote the ideal functioning of subjective experiences (happiness, hope), positive characteristics (forgiveness, wisdom) and civic virtues (responsibility, altruism) (Linley and Joseph, 2004).
In addition, it would also aim to prevent the emergence of psychopathologies by developing positive characteristics and qualities.
In his research, positive psychology, in the context of welfare science, tries not to go beyond the limits of scientific methodology, considered the best way to understand phenomena.
This is precisely because it tries to place himself in this context, which outlines a clear way of acting, uses valid and reliable methodological strategies, including quasi-experimental correlative experimental projects.
We said try, because you don’t always succeed; in fact, it sometimes works with very subjective measures, influenced by uncontrolled variables.
“There is no reason for thought habits to last forever. One of the most important discoveries in psychology over the past twenty years has been that people choose their way of thinking. -Martin Seligman-
Being grateful, not being too compared to others, and accepting these circumstances that cannot be changed are essential aspects of personal well-being according to science.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin (USA) They analyzed brain activity as part of a 12-year study on meditation and compassion.
This neuroimaging study showed how the regions associated with happiness were activated more intensely and frequently when the person did not compare, appreciate something and accepted the situations in which he was.
This research has studied brain function with different techniques and tools, such as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The results of this study, published in 2004 by the US National Academy of Sciences, were published in 2004 by the US National Academy of Sciences. Usa, they are the fifth most viewed scientific reference in history.
The common feature of “pessimists” is that they tend to believe that bad events will last a long time and that, in turn, they will have tragic consequences without them being able to prevent them.
The belief that we can count on direct access to happiness, joy, comfort, and ecstasy, rather than working on these feelings by exercising personal virtues and strengths, governs many people.
They are the same people who, in the midst of great wealth, are spiritually hungry.
Pessimists often do not know that there are many internal circumstances under our control, an ability to act, to achieve effects, which is intimately linked to self-efficacy, coping styles or tolerance for uncertainty.
As for our health, we can consider acting, for example, on four pillars: the decision not to smoke, the commitment to exercise, the quality of our diet and our level of optimism.
In this sense, studies show that optimism is no less important than other variables.
We are talking about optimism based on data, in contact with reality, supported by our capacities and resources, inspired by the confidence that gives us considerable freedom, as well as the opportunity to be creative, put our intelligence into practice and circulate.
Finding permanent and universal causes of misfortune is the practice of despair.