Key distinctions of positive psychology

Positive psychology, as a field of study, is clearly distinguished from both the more traditional approaches to psychology and from currents of positive thinking that lack a scientific basis.

Its value lies precisely in its methodological rigor and complementary approach.

Against Traditional Psychology

Positive psychology does not seek to replace or invalidate the valuable knowledge and treatments developed by traditional psychology, which has historically focused on the study and repair of psychological harm, pathologies and human suffering.

This traditional approach is absolutely necessary to alleviate distress and treat mental disorders.

However, positive psychology arises to complement this view, arguing that the absence of illness does not automatically equate to the presence of well-being or flourishing.

Thus, while traditional psychology has focused on helping people move from negative states (such as depression or anxiety) to a neutral or "non-illness" state (moving people from a -5 or -10 to a 0 on a scale of well-being), positive psychology is interested in what is "good" in people and how to enhance it.

It aims to understand and promote the factors that enable individuals and communities to move from that neutral state to optimal levels of functioning and happiness (from 0 to +5 or +10).

In short, positive psychology focuses on building on positive qualities and not just repairing what is damaged, acting as an addition and expansion of the psychological field.

Facing Simplistic Positive Thinking and Unscientific Self-Help

It is crucial to differentiate positive psychology from naïve "positive thinking" or certain self-help currents that often lack solid scientific backing.

Positive psychology is not simply an exhortation to "think positive" or to repeat affirmations without further foundation.

The fundamental difference lies in its scientific basis. Positive psychology is a science that rigorously measures its constructs (such as well-being, strengths, optimism) and applies interventions whose effectiveness has been empirically validated.

Although some techniques may seem simple or common sense, their inclusion in the corpus of positive psychology is because they have been shown through research to have a real and measurable impact on well-being.

It is often confused with the "law of attraction" or other popular ideas, but positive psychology distances itself from these by being based on measurement and the application of scientific principles.

Thus, he takes concepts such as self-help and personal development to a level of real, documented and supported science, offering strategies and techniques with substance.