In this presentation it will be strongly emphasized that the only way for Positive Psychology (PP) tosurvive in the long run is to keep it anchored in good science and good practices. In this talk I willdescribe how some findings from basic research on positive emotions and positive cognitions, from ourgroup and others, are providing unexpected new insights on several clinical phenomena like trauma anddepression. It will be proposed that, following the well-known classical model of translational science, PPmust make a continuous effort to translate basic research on positive functioning to the field ofintervention and prevention. Although most of the research and applications of PP has been focused on non-pathological individualsand institutions, clinical conditions pose an ultimate challenge to PP. There are several factors that justifythe relevance of PP in the clinical field. First of all, research consistently shows that positive and negativecognitions and emotions must be understood as relatively separate entities. This basic notion hasprofound consequences to understand and assess mental disorders and psychologists, and clinicalpsychologists in particular, should be fully aware of it. Secondly, a positive view on functioning isexpanding our understanding of how human beings react to adversity and life difficulties. Thirdly, there ispromising research showing that positive interventions can be appropriately used to treat a variety ofclinical problems.In sum, rather than being a separatist force within Psychology, PP is substantially contributing tocomplement, in an innovative way, our view of human functioning even in conditions of distress and malfunctioning.

More than 25 years ago, I proposed a multidimensional model of psychological well-being (Ryff,1989), derived from the integration of numerous perspectives on positive human functioning. More than 350 publications have been generated with the self-report scales constructed to assess various dimensions of well-being. I will briefly highlight overarching themes in past research findings. With regard to present research, I will summarize the growing body of evidence showing that purposeful, engaged, growth-oriented living is linked with better health, including reduced biological risk factors, reduced morbidity, and longer lives. With regard to future research, I will highlight emerging efforts to promote eudaimonic well-being in both clinical and educational contexts.

Spirituality can be integrated into virtually every dimension of life.  Relationships, work, nature,virtues, the body can all be imbued with sacred qualities, and when they are, research indicates, theytake on special power and significance.  This paper will focus on how particular moments in time can beexperienced as sacred and the implications of these moments for resilience and change.  “Sacredmoments” refer to brief periods of time during which people experience spiritual qualities oftranscendence, ultimacy, boundlessness, interconnectedness, and spiritual emotions.    Sacred momentsare not limited to extraordinary encounters (e.g., near death or mystical experiences); they may alsooccur in many kinds of relationships, including helping relationships.  We will present striking examplesof sacred moments and the transformations they can trigger.  We will also report on the results of tworecent studies of sacred moments in the context of psychotherapy.  The findings suggest that:  (a) sacredmoments are not unusual; and (b) sacred moments are robustly tied to benefits for not only clients butalso providers and the helping alliance.  

This talk will present an overview of work in our Center that focuses on some of thefundamental constituents of well-being, their neural bases and biobehavioralcorrelates, and how they can be cultivated through mental training.  In addition,disorders that may arise from abnormalities in some of these constituents will beconsidered.  Emphasis will be placed on prefrontal, ventral striatal and amygdalacircuitry and connectivity that may play a role in aspects of well-being.  Both basicand translational neuroscientific and behavioral research on the impact of specificcontemplative practices will also be featured.  One of the key conclusions of thisbody of research is that well-being is best conceptualized as a skill that can beenhanced through training.  

Social science suggests that in organizations people tend to pursue self-interests, minimize
personal costs, feel fear, prefer the status quo, endure constraints, stay in their roles, speak inpolitically correct ways, fail to see opportunities, compete for resources, experience conflict,become alienated, deny feedback, fail to learn, under-perform and personally stagnate. In morepositive organizations the people tend to embrace the common good, make spontaneouscontributions, feel confident, seek growth, overcome constraints, expand their roles, express theirauthentic voice, see and seize new opportunities, build social networks, nurture high qualityconnections, embrace feedback, learn, exceed expectations, and personally flourish. In this talk Ifocus on the question of how to turn a conventional organizational culture into a positive culture.I explore five levers that can be used to bring about such a transformation.

Kim Cameron, Ph.D.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Ph.D.
Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D.
Jonathan Haidt, Ph.D.
Martin Seligman, Ph.D.
Carmelo Vazquez, Ph.D

Positive psychology has generated a variety of critics.  A number of published and unpublished criticisms, attacks, and even condemnations have appeared regarding the general orientation of positive psychology, the research in positive psychology, the practice of positive psychology, and the effects of positive psychology.  This session addresses several of these criticisms with a panel of well-known positive psychology scholars.

Long term follow up of hundreds of Prisoners of War (POW) from Viet Nam revealed that optimistic
thinking was the variable most responsible for lack of any psychological diagnoses following repatriationfrom years of captivity.  Using my own personal experience, I believe indefatigable optimism explainswhy I did extremely well following a POW misadventure in 1991, while some others did significantly lesswell. Since we know that optimistic thinking, along with other positive thinking skills, can be learned, Isuggest that we owe it to young people to teach skills that will be valuable regardless of what they choseto do later in life.  This was started in the Army (and later in the Air Force) in 2009, and continues today.I believe an important question is how to ensure that all kids have the opportunity to learn these skills ifthey do not get them at home.

The CEO of a large, well known corporation in the United States offers a professional and
personal reflection on how positive organizational scholarship has been successfully applied in a large corporation.