American Psychologist, Martin Seligman, dubbed the “Father of Psychology” for his extensive contributions to the field of psychology, was born in Albany, New York in 1942. In 1964 he earned a bachelor of philosophy from Princeton and in 1967 a PhD in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania where he currently works and is director of the clinical training program. He is responsible for researching the Theory of Learned Helplessness, which led him to a series of significant advances in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of depression. His research on the matter would later contribute to new ideas about optimism and ways to further the new found psychological category of Positive Psychology (FamousPsych). Martin has related a story
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It happened in the form of observing dogs that were preconditioned to anticipate a slight jolt of an electric shock after hearing a tone. Since these dogs were predisposed to the expectation of the shock and having no escape to avoid the surge, they just accepting it because it was beyond their control (Very Well). This experiment led Seligman and Maier to want to observe this behavior in humans. They concluded that depression, loneliness, anxiety, and shyness could all be within the realm of learned helplessness. Learned Helplessness is defined as accepting occurrences in one’s life and feeling like it is out of one’s control. My example would be a boy named Billy. Billy wants to be a great basketball player. Billy cannot ever get the ball in the hoop. He tries different stances, force and velocity behind the way he shoots the ball- regardless of his best efforts, Billy cannot get the ball in the hoop. Billy accepts he is bad at basketball and quits …show more content…
“The basic idea is that knowing what makes out for a happy life is the first step in achieving it” (Pos.Psy.Prog.). By focusing on each of the five aspects of the model, it will rebuild a sense of homeostasis within the patient. The pillars of focus include positive emotions- essential feeling good; engagement- partaking in activities; relationships- connecting with others; meaning- to find our place in this life; and achievement- to reach a sense of accomplishment (gostrengths). The goal of incorporating this model into someone’s life is not only to help them cope with a low time in their life, but to help them live and flourish once they’ve climbed the hurdle of whatever ailed them. Seligman has used a technique he called the “Three Dimensions of Happiness” in which one looks into their past, present, and explores the future (Pursuit). By looking into our current situations, reflecting on past experience, we might be able to have optimism for our future- whatever it may hold. He stated that the “good life embodies 6 virtues and cultivates 24 strengths” (Pursuit). Martin Seligman listed the 6 core virtues as wisdom/knowledge, courage, love/humility, justice, temperance, and spirituality/transcendence. He implied that when one can reach these that they will obtain lasting
It happened in the form of observing dogs that were preconditioned to anticipate a slight jolt of an electric shock after hearing a tone. Since these dogs were predisposed to the expectation of the shock and having no escape to avoid the surge, they just accepting it because it was beyond their control (Very Well). This experiment led Seligman and Maier to want to observe this behavior in humans. They concluded that depression, loneliness, anxiety, and shyness could all be within the realm of learned helplessness. Learned Helplessness is defined as accepting occurrences in one’s life and feeling like it is out of one’s control. My example would be a boy named Billy. Billy wants to be a great basketball player. Billy cannot ever get the ball in the hoop. He tries different stances, force and velocity behind the way he shoots the ball- regardless of his best efforts, Billy cannot get the ball in the hoop. Billy accepts he is bad at basketball and quits …show more content…
“The basic idea is that knowing what makes out for a happy life is the first step in achieving it” (Pos.Psy.Prog.). By focusing on each of the five aspects of the model, it will rebuild a sense of homeostasis within the patient. The pillars of focus include positive emotions- essential feeling good; engagement- partaking in activities; relationships- connecting with others; meaning- to find our place in this life; and achievement- to reach a sense of accomplishment (gostrengths). The goal of incorporating this model into someone’s life is not only to help them cope with a low time in their life, but to help them live and flourish once they’ve climbed the hurdle of whatever ailed them. Seligman has used a technique he called the “Three Dimensions of Happiness” in which one looks into their past, present, and explores the future (Pursuit). By looking into our current situations, reflecting on past experience, we might be able to have optimism for our future- whatever it may hold. He stated that the “good life embodies 6 virtues and cultivates 24 strengths” (Pursuit). Martin Seligman listed the 6 core virtues as wisdom/knowledge, courage, love/humility, justice, temperance, and spirituality/transcendence. He implied that when one can reach these that they will obtain lasting