4 Other Positive Psychology Theories
The following theories each contribute to the research and application of positive psychology while emphasizing specific elements of the PERMA model:
1. Hope theory
“Hope is defined as the perceived ability to produce pathways to achieve desired goals and to motivate oneself to use those pathways” (Lopez et al., 2021, p. 323).
Hope theory, developed by C.R. Snyder, focuses on the role of ‘hope’ in achieving such goals and overcoming challenges along the way and comprises two components (Lopez et al., 2021):
- Pathways
The individual’s belief in the potential of achieving their goals using various strategies and resources.
- Agency
A belief in their ability to act and make things happen.
Individuals high in hope are more likely to set challenging goals, persevere in the face of obstacles, and find alternative paths to achieve their goals (Tomasulo, 2020).
Psychotherapists can use hope theory to help individuals identify and build on their strengths, set achievable goals, and develop coping strategies for overcoming challenges (Lopez et al., 2021).
2. Resilience theory
Different people react to the same challenges and upsetting life events in various ways—some bounce back or find an alternative path while others struggle to adapt—leading to short-term chronic health issues (Neenan, 2018).
“It is estimated that up to 90 percent of us will experience at least one serious traumatic event during our lives,” so it is vital we understand the factors involved in resilience to support clients better or teach them more healthy coping mechanisms (Southwick & Charney, 2018, p. 1).
Resilience theory suggests that it is less about the events surrounding stressful times and trauma and more about how our subjective experience means we experience them (Lopez et al., 2021).
Resilient individuals typically have specific characteristics, such as being able to regulate emotions, able to solve problems effectively, and maintain positive relationships. Such individuals also often have a strong sense of purpose and meaning, which helps them find hope and motivation in difficult times.
Resilience theory has important implications for psychotherapy, as it suggests that helping individuals develop resilience can be crucial in achieving positive outcomes.
Psychotherapists can use it to help clients identify and build on their own strengths, develop coping strategies for managing adversity, and find meaning and purpose in their lives.
Overall, resilience theory emphasizes the importance of personal resources and positive relationships in facilitating positive change and achieving wellbeing (Neenan, 2018).
3. Flow theory
Flow is a mindset people can enter when fully immersed in and enjoying an activity or task. When doing so, they are likely to be highly motivated, productive, creative, and perform at their very best. Flow helps people achieve what they thought was impossible (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009).
As a result, flow theory closely aligns with positive psychology. After all, the second letter of the PERMA model refers to ‘engagement’—that sense of time standing still and a loss of self-consciousness (Seligman, 2011).
According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, flow, or ‘being in the zone’ involves being fully engaged in an activity combined with a state of optimal experience where the individual experiences a sense of enjoyment and purpose (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009).
While we can identify when flow is experienced, we can also create an environment where it is more likely to happen.
Flow occurs when an individual’s skills and abilities match the activity’s challenge. When optimal, the individual can fully engage in a task or environment and experience a sense of enjoyment and accomplishment—along with other positive emotions and improved wellbeing (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009).
As such, flow theory has significant implications for therapy because it emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning through engagement in enjoyable and fulfilling activities.
Helping individuals identify and engage in activities that promote flow can be crucial in achieving positive outcomes. Therapists can help individuals find challenging and rewarding activities, and develop strategies for achieving a state of flow (Riva, Freire, & Bassi, 2016).
What our readers think
hi i think we can broaden positive psychology to medicine and phisical state of people to flourish paients for phisical diseases also. Saleh Farahvash
Great article. Presents an altogether different perspective for helping people achieve their real potential instead of ” getting healed”.