Positive Psychology
This week, I started the Masters in Applied Positive Psychology program at UPENN. The program caught my interest for a number of reasons and so far I have certainly not been disappointed. To some up quickly, and I’ll write more in the future, the idea of Positive Psychology is that while traditional psychology has studied what’s wrong with us, and how to intervene to fix us, there has been a lack of study of what makes us great, happy, etc. We’ve approached the world with an idea that happiness is the absence of unhappiness. Intuitively, we know that’s not the case. So positive psychology is the study of the plus side of things. Whether that’s performance in business, parenting, pysical well being, or other domains, there are so many areas where we have studied what goes wrong, but not enough about what goes right and why. An important basis of positive psych is the emphasis of empirical, scientific research. This is not a “let’s be happy all the time” self help guru training program 
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The program will unfold over 40 days on campus (mostly those are Friday -> Sunday to avoid missing the work week), and then there’s lots of distance work. It’s going to be a fun challenge as we continue to build Pikum at the same time!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I hope you’ll have time to post regular updates! I’m envious. Let me know when you’re next in the Bay Area so we can get together.
January 26th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Hi Sean!
I think I’m as excited, if not more excited(!)than you about the application of positive psychology to a broad field of areas. As you know, one of the applications I am most concerned with is that of peacemaking (negotiations designed to end wars; grass roots dialogue etc.) and peacekeeping (as done by the UN or other regional organisations.
My thinking around this started to develop after I had spent several years working in UN peacekeeping; and wondering how we could improve it to ensure wider success. I have been really thrilled with your contribution to this thinking process; and am looking forward to our continued engagement in the future, concerning how we can use positive psychology to creative Positive Peace.
The main idea behind Positive Peace (yes! - I know all peace is positive, but here I am really referring to the methods used to broker peace) would be to create sustainable solutions in peace negotiations, using applications like Appreciative Inquiry, so that win-win situations can be created for all; and peace agreements can be implemented on the ground, leading to long-term peace.
It has been a journey and, so far, I’m so glad about where this path has led me. I really appreciate your innovative mind; and can’t wait to see what you do with positive psychology, including in the entreprenuerial field.
Because our world is so inter-linked, I definitely believe that what’s good for you, is bound to be what’s good for me
Cheers; and thanks for this great website!
Primrose