More Than "Happiology"

January 17, 2014

As you might expect, I have an interest in positive psychology, the relatively new branch of psychology that focuses not on treating mental illness, but on building mental health and increasing happiness.  Positive psychology is not just “happiology”—about feeling good all the time. It strives to understand the elements of a truly satisfying life.

In Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being, Martin  Seligman, a psychologist and one of the pioneers in the field of positive psychology, builds on (and explains the weaknesses of) his work on “authentic happiness theory,” refining it into what he calls well-being theory. Seligman writes, “I used to think that the topic of positive psychology was happiness, that the gold standard for measuring happiness was life satisfaction, and that the goal of positive psychology was to increase life satisfaction. I now think that the topic of positive psychology is well-being, that the gold standard for measuring well-being is flourishing, and that the goal of positive psychology is to increase flourishing.” 

In Flourish, Seligman adds two more elements (Relationships and Achievement) to the three elements already named in authentic happiness theory (remember them by using the mnemonic PERMA):

  • Positive emotion (of which happiness and life satisfaction are all aspects)
  • Engagement (flow)
  • Relationships
  • Meaning
  • Achievement 
Each of these elements contributes to well-being without defining it.  Some are measured subjectively and others are measured objectively. Seligman added these additional dimensions because he feels that “life satisfaction holds too privileged a place in the measure of happiness” because “how much life satisfaction people report is itself determined by how good we feel at the very moment we are asked the question.” Many people who lack a natural cheerfulness may have more engagement and meaning in their lives than those who are more outwardly “happy.”

Flourish is an interesting book, and though it’s more theory than practical application, it does contain some interactive exercises (I mentioned one of them here). The book also contains a bit of history of positive psychology and Seligman’s career, as well as a defense of positive psychology against critics.

What I took from the book was the idea that well-being was a broader, richer concept than simple “happiness,” and that you can have well-being without constantly feeling cheerful or “happy.” I don’t believe it’s possible—or even desirable—to feel happy all the time. I do, however, feel that pursing the elements of PERMA will help you build a more deeply satisfying—and, yes, happier—life.

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4 comments

  1. Debbie NolanJanuary 17, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    Kathy - sounds like a very interesting book. Insightful too that perhaps those who appear cheerful may not necessarily have as much engagement or meaning in their lives. Will have to check this book out at our local bookstore. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Sketchbook WanderingJanuary 17, 2014 at 8:04 PM

    Coincidentally I just watched a dvd called HAPPY (www.The HappyMovie.com) It might be a bit simplistic in its conclusions, but it was interesting as people in various countries were featured.

    One of my favorite non-fiction books is The Geography of Bliss. Both of these are perhaps anthropological in their approach.

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  3. Kathy A. JohnsonJanuary 19, 2014 at 9:43 AM

    Debbie--It was interesting. Hope you find it so yourself.

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  4. Kathy A. JohnsonJanuary 19, 2014 at 9:45 AM

    Rita--I've heard of that movie and wanted to see it myself. I need to check my library and see if they have a copy yet. I'm also curious about The Geography of Bliss, and will look for that, too. I think it's good to expand our understanding of what "happiness" means to others, and think about what it really means to us.

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