Foundations of Positive Psychology

📋 Course Outline

1. Historical Foundations
2. Modern Paradigm Shift
3. Flow Concept
4. Free Will Assumption
5. Authenticity of Goodness
6. The Good Life Model
7. Empirical Evidence
8. Meta-Analysis Findings
9. Strengths and Weaknesses
10. Cultural and Biological Factors
11. Evaluation and Critique

📖 1. Historical Foundations

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Ancient Greek Virtuous Life & Authentic Happiness: Philosophers such as Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato posited that living a virtuous life—characterized by moral excellence and the cultivation of virtues—leads to "authentic happiness," a state of well-being rooted in moral integrity and fulfillment (see source content).
• Historical Focus on Pathology: Traditional psychology primarily concentrated on understanding and treating mental illness, emphasizing pathology, dysfunction, and abnormal behaviors rather than human strengths or positive states (see source content).
• Shift from Disease Model to Positive Psychology Paradigm: The modern paradigm shift involves moving away from viewing mental health solely as the absence of illness towards fostering human flourishing, strengths, and well-being, as championed by Martin Seligman (see source content).
• Martin Seligman’s Critique of 'Zero' Baseline: Seligman (date unspecified) critiqued the practice of merely restoring patients to a neutral "zero" level of well-being, arguing that this leaves individuals feeling…