Positive Psychology: Science of Happiness

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Science of Happiness - YouTube

by ucberkeleycampuslife on Oct 8, 2010

Researchers at UC Berkeley are doing a wide range of studies exploring positive emotions and happiness. Experiments on the brain, nervous system, hormones, heart, and social interaction are indicating that human nature and the survival of the species rely much more on compassion, gratitude, trust, and altruism than previously thought. The theory of "survival of the fittest" is giving way to "survival of the kindest." Psychologists Dacher Keltner, Rudy Mendoza-Denton, and sociologists Rob Willer and Christina Carter discuss their work and its implications for society.
Video produced by Roxanne Makasdjian, UC Berkeley Media Relations (7:40min.)
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2010/11/09_happiness_video.shtml

'via Blog this'

Positive Psychology given credence by Academia:

Positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Commentators on the subject Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, note that:

"The field of positive psychology at the subjective level is about valued subjective experiences: well-being, contentment, and satisfaction (in the past); hope and optimism (for the future); and flow and happiness (in the present).

At the individual level, it is about positive individual traits: the capacity for love and vocation, courage, interpersonal skill, aesthetic sensibility, perseverance, forgiveness, originality, future mindedness, spirituality, high talent, and wisdom.

At the group level, it is about the civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals toward better citizenship: responsibility, nurturance, altruism, civility, moderation,tolerance, and work ethic."