8/11/2019 Martin Seligmans Theory

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The core theoretical concept of positive psychotherapy (PPT) (Seligman et al.

American Psychologist, Nov. 2006) is that increasing positive experiences and emotions is

more beneficial to or patients than redcing dysfnctional cognitions and behavior. !ec"

asserts that negative cognitions case negative emotions# bt Seligman arges that negative

emotions case negative cognitions.$ccording to Seligman# depression (and probably other

disorders) can be more effectively treated by helping patients to%

1. Increase positive emotions.

2. Engage more fully in life.

3. Find meaning in life.This refers to &oining and serving some case that is bigger

than oneself# sch as religion# politics# profession# family# commnity# or nation.

Techniques for Increasing Positive Emotions

Savoring: 'lly experience and en&oy activities yo normally rsh throgh. 'orexample# savor yor food# focsing on the taste# temperatre# and feel of each piece of food

in yor moth.

Three Blessings Exercise:very night before yo go to bed# rite don three good

things that happened that day# and hy they happened. *esearch has fond this exercise to be

the most valable of those exercises stdied.

Gratitude Letter:+hoose a person ho has done something important for yo# hom

yo have never than"ed properly. ,rite don exactly hat that person did and exactly ho

this helped yo. Then read the letter to that person.

Comparison Exercise.To more flly appreciate hat yo have# thin" abot others

ho are orse off than yo

Techniques for Engaging Fully in ife

Signature Strengths:,rite don yor most important strengths. These are personal

characteristics that are niversally valed sch as creativity# bravery# "indness# fairness#

forgiveness# gratitde# and honesty. Patients can se the -/$ Signatre Strengths

estionnaire1 at .$thenticappiness.org to identify their signatre strengths.

Using Strengths:very day# do one thing hich tili3es a signatre strength in a ne ay.

Strength Stories:Tell someone abot a time hen yo sed one of yor signatre strengths.

!ctive"#onstructive $esponding% Tell another person very specifically hat yo admire

abot them or something they did.Life Legacy: ,rite don ho yo old li"e to be

remembered.

Create lo!"(total involvement in hat yo are doing)% 4atch endeavors ith s"ills tocreate flo. $n endeavor that is too difficlt cases anxiety. $n endeavor that is too easy

cases boredom.