Martin Seligman
Martin Seligman
The founder of positive psychology, who scientifically studied human strengths and happiness. He discovered the concept of learned helplessness, and devoted his career to researching ways to cultivate optimism and well-being.
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Martin Seligman (1942–)
An American psychologist and the founder of Positive Psychology. He served as president of the American Psychological Association (APA) and played a pivotal role in shifting psychology's focus from pathology to strengths and well-being.
In his early research, Seligman discovered Learned Helplessness — the phenomenon where repeated exposure to uncontrollable negative situations leads a person to stop trying altogether, which he identified as a core mechanism of depression. This research led him to recognize that Learned Optimism was equally possible.
After becoming APA president in 1998, he formally launched the positive psychology movement. He proposed the PERMA model, identifying five elements of well-being: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. This model has been applied not only to individual happiness but also to education, organizations, and the military.
*Mindy's note: Seligman's work reminds us that psychology isn't just about fixing what's broken — it's also about building what's best in us.*
💡 Real-Life Example
Psychology should not only be about fixing weaknesses, but also about cultivating strengths.
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis.