Ted talk seligman positive psychology

Original Discussion Board:

Since man first began attempting to figure out why some individuals seemed "normal" and some

did not, the focus has consistently been on what is "wrong" with these people and how can we

make them "right" and if we can't make them "right" what should we do with them?

This perspective is known as The Disease Model in which we classify clusters of behavior and/or

thoughts into categories that we can then label. In fact, the very DSM version that we will study

in this course (5) is still largely based on this Disease Model. For this discussion board, I want

you to go to Ted Talks and look up Martin Seligman and Positive Psychology and watch this 20

minute video and then discuss amongst your group how this idea relates to our current

understanding of diagnostics. Are we on the right track? Is there a better way? Do we need to

focus more on not just helping individuals to "not be depressed" anymore, but also help them to

flourish?

TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_the_new_era_of_positive_psychology

TED Talk transcript:

https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_the_new_era_of_positive_psychology/transcript

Respond to Classmate 1:

Dr. Seligman’s Ted Talk was very enlightening. I would say it was a bit of an “Ah-Ha!” moment

for me. When I began to think about pursuing counseling as a career, I encountered several

people that were discouraged because the people that they worked with never seemed to get

better. Dr. Seligman was proud that progress meant that we could “make miserable people less

miserable”. That’s a long way from cured!

It’s obvious that there will always be a need for the “Disease Model”. Just as there’s a need for a

hospital to treat people physically, there’s going to be a need to diagnose people mentally. That

said, I think the science of positive psychology is a wonderful approach, just as the science of

living healthy physically. I think that’s a fair comparison. That said, I think the results of the

testing were pretty predictable (easy to say in hindsight, I realize). The results of lasting

happiness being linked more strongly to the “meaningful life” is actually a Biblical concept. We

would call it altruistic, but scripture would call it loving others more than yourself which is

second only to loving God. I realize that not everyone subscribes to the truths of the Bible,

nevertheless, they align. These concepts referenced by Dr. Seligman are not new. Aristotle spoke

against a hedonistic lifestyle and in support of a more eudaemonic lifestyle that was more

virtuous (Boniwell, 2008). However, they have been given more credibility thanks to the

rigorous study.

https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_the_new_era_of_positive_psychology
https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_the_new_era_of_positive_psychology/transcript
The biggest takeaway is that we are learning more and more about the components of a happy

life as well as learning more and more how to better diagnose and treat (even cure) mental

illness. The two combined absolutely put us on the right track towards helping individuals not

only feel “less miserable” but to also flourish.

Reference:

Boniwell, I. (2008). What is Eudaimonia? The Concept of Eudaimonic Well-Being and

Happiness. Positive Psychology. Retrieved from: http://positivepsychology.org.uk/the-concept-

of-eudaimonic-well-being/

Respond to Classmate 2:

For this discussion board, I want you to go to TED Talks and look up Martin Seligman and

Positive Psychology and watch this 20 minute video and then discuss amongst your group how

this idea relates to our current understanding of diagnostics. Are we on the right track? Is there

a better way? Do we need to focus more on not just helping individuals to “not be depressed”

anymore, but also help them to flourish?

In the Ted Talk The New Era of Positive Psychology Martin Seligman reveals how the field of

psychology was not good enough (2004). Seligman implies that for decades effective treatment

of psychological disorders was nearly nonexistent and finally in the new millennium fourteen

psychological disorders were deemed treatable with two curable in accordance with the disease

model of mental illness. The disease model of mental illness posits that psychological disorders

stem from within…biologically. But what about external factors? This is where, I believe, the

biopsychosocial model of mental health comes into play. Positive psychology embraces

therapeutic integration and eclecticism. There are hints of humanistic psychology, existentialism,

Gestalt psychology, cognitive-behavioral implications etc. Positive psychology lends itself to

efficacy and effectiveness by encouraging the client to self-activate self-acceptance and other

holistic factors rendering personal life fulfillment (Seligman, 2004).

Kindness, wisdom, resilience, humor, optimism, hope, purpose, vigor, passion…these concepts

are invigorated by human nature and are keystones to positive psychology. More than just

positive thinking, positive psychology begs the question, what makes life worth living (UM

News Service, 2020 featuring Professor Christopher Peterson)? Additionally positive psychology

is the scientific study of how people can live meaningful and fulfilling lives by cultivating

purpose, strength, love, work, and amusement so as to thrive in community (Positive Psychology

Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 2020). Seligman is the founding father of positive

psychology and in the formative years this approach resembled the humanistic movement.

Contrary to initial beliefs, positive psychology is enduring the litmus test of time. Overturning

doom and gloom and the prognosis of diagnosis, positive psychology equips the clinician and the

client with more than coping strategies and surviving. Positive psychology accentuates the

http://positivepsychology.org.uk/the-concept-of-eudaimonic-well-being/
http://positivepsychology.org.uk/the-concept-of-eudaimonic-well-being/
positive introducing the prescription of hope, perseverance, optimism, relationship, and

empowered thriving as therapeutic goals of the treatment plan.

In our last class discussion consideration was given to the importance of diagnosis. Assessment,

classification, causation, and intervention are essential. These components are shared with the

science of positive psychology with additional variables factored into the equation. I agree with

Seligman in that focus in treatment can be redirected to encourage assemblage of the good life

and the meaningful life both superseding yet intertwined with the pleasant life. Stimulating

positive emotion through work, play, love, grit, purpose, relationships, helping, self-control,

sharing… is not ignoring the problem but cultivates resilience, quality of life, fulfillment, self-

acceptance, and empowerment. Hence, positive psychology could prove to be the more excellent

way in helping patients flourish instead of flounder.

References

Positive Psychology Center. (n.d.). Ppc.Sas.Upenn.Edu. https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu

Seligman, M. (Director). (2004, February). The new era of positive psychology [Video file].

Retrieved June 13, 2020, from https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_ the_new_era_of_

positive_psychology

UM News Service. (2020). What makes life worth living? (Part 1) [YouTube Video]. In

YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=270&v=DRiIAqGXLKA&feature=emb_logo