Positive Psychology Negative

Negative On Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology is a new millennium version of the power of positive thinking movement. In other words it’s a new millennium health scam. Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that supports the theory that an individual’s happiness is under their personal control, independent of any external influences or validation. However, part of the problem is that this is just one of the many definitions of positive psychology. So if that definition doesn’t suit you, Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2014) define positive psychology as the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels that include the biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions

of life. Yet another definition is the scientific study of human flourishing, and an applied approach to optimal functioning ("What is Positive Psychology," n.d.). It has also been defined as the study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals, communities and organizations to thrive ("What is Positive Psychology," n.d.). Nonetheless, I define it as a coping mechanism at best and a scam at worst.
For instance, positive psychology uses techniques such as the Happiness Training Program and the Sustainable Happiness Model to supposedly increase an individual’s happiness. Yet, evidence has been presented that does not support the theory that positive psychology increases well-being (Miller & Duncan, 2015). Miller and Duncan (2015) presented evidence from a study involving 55 participants, 29 females and 26 males, over the age of 18. They participated in a single blind controlled study to test whether positive psychology methods increased well-being more than concentrating on gratitude. The participants were randomly assigned to either treatment group A or B or control group C. The participants’ subjective well- being was tested before and after the study. The participants in the treatment groups were invited to concentrate on things that made them feel happy or grateful. At the end of each day, participants were asked to reflect on their experience and to write three things in their notepad. The participants in the control group were invited to visit a website containing articles regarding well-being, but were not asked to perform an intervention. The experiment as a result did not provide any conclusive evidence which would indicate that subjective well-being improved significantly between the groups (Miller & Duncan, 2015). Nonetheless, positive psychology has been shown to reduce stress. But so what? Sleep has been shown to reduce stress also. Besides, reduction of stress does not necessarily mean an increase in happiness.
For example, there are biological factors that are beyond the control of positive psychology that will ultimately determine an individual’s level of happiness.

The factors are heavily supported by empirical scientific data. For instance, the feeling of happiness is created and regulated biologically by the release of the neurotransmitter, dopamine. Dopamine is produced in the ventral tegmental area of the brain. Subsequently, it is released during pleasurable situations and motivates one to seek out pleasurable activity (Bromberg-Martin, Matsumoto, & Hikosaka, 2010). Thus, dopamine is essential to experiencing the feeling of happiness. Conversely, positive psychology does not play a role in dopamine production. So if it doesn’t increase dopamine levels, the it doesn’t increase happiness. In addition, the limbic system of the brain is also influential in the regulation of emotion and motivation. The limbic system is an interlinked system of nerves and networks in the brain, involving several areas near the edge of the cortex concerned with instinct and mood (Kalat, 2013). It controls the basic emotions of fear, pleasure, and anger. The proper function of the limbic system is dependent on a healthy brain that is properly interacting with biological chemicals that are produced by the body and received from our dietary intake. In contrast, positive psychology does not play a role in an individual’s body chemistry. Therefore, it is not essential in creating the

sensation of happiness. This sensation is produced biochemically, via dopamine and the limbic system. This sensation is not triggered by positive psychology exercises.
Further still, the proponents of positive psychology will use as little as a subjective 4 question questionnaire to validate their findings (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999). How can anyone measure an increase in happiness with only a subjective questionnaire? This is important because it has been determined t hat there is definitely a physiological component to happiness not just psychological. Thus, in order to prove their claims there should be at the very least test results indicating an increase in dopamine levels. For instance, you wouldn’t determine the effectiveness of a blood pressure medication based solely on the results gathered from a questionnaire. Similarly, you wouldn’t determine the effect of a weight loss pill by asking the participants if they felt lighter.
In summary, critical thinking is thinking without bias.

It is an objective evaluation of information. The best way to achieve an unbiased evaluation of positive psychology’s so called effect in increasing happiness is to have supporting evidence in the form of objective quantitative experimental data. Unfortunately, the purported benefits of Positive Psychology are not supported by using this scientific methodology. As a result, the success of positive psychology relies heavily on its ability to convince people of its effectiveness through the power of belief. Therefore, positive psychology will remain in my list of pseudoscience therapies until further notice. So until then I will remain negative on positive

psychology.