Positive Psychology and Wellness

Positive psychology as a phrase first appeared in the literature in the work of Abraham Maslow in the 1950s with his description of self-actualization and creativity as an aspect of humanistic psychology. However, as a distinct and formalized branch of psychology, it did not appear until Martin Seligman pushed the initiative in his role as president of the American Psychological Association in 1998. Positive psychology is a close relative of humanistic psychology with perhaps a greater appreciation for the scientific method and empirical methods of inquiry. Additionally, more so than humanistic thought, positive psychology holds an [Page 1432]acceptance of the bad as well as the good in humanity as being genuine and worthy of study, without the assumption that people are inherently good. Wellness and ...