Positive emotions and self-esteem

Positive psychology offers insight into the emotional and affective nature of this experience and provides insight into how emotions and mood relate to self-esteem.

Positive psychology?? WTF?? To Wikipedia I go,,,

Positive psychologists seek "to find and nurture genius and talent", and "to make normal life more fulfilling", not simply to treat mental illness. The field is intended to complement, not to replace traditional psychology. It does not seek to deny the importance of studying how things go wrong, but rather to emphasize the importance of using the scientific method to determine how things go right.

Positive psychology began as a new area of psychology in 1998 when Martin Seligman, considered the father of the modern positive psychology movement,,,though the term originates with Maslow, in his 1954 book Motivation and Personality

Positive psychology finds its roots in the humanistic psychology of the 20th century, which focused heavily on happiness and fulfillment. Earlier influences on positive psychology came primarily from philosophical and religious sources, as scientific psychology did not take its modern form until the late 19th century.

Considering I have had the pleasure of hearing Seligman speak (1987) and spent time conversing with him in a group setting, studied Maslow in college, and find humanistic psychology alluring (humanistic psychology has its roots in the existentialism of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre all of which I have read). The idea of positive psychology doesn't seem so far fetched.

Emotions and mood play a role in the evaluations we make of ourselves and others, and whether we believe we’re leading a life of success and significance.

Sounds like existentialism to me. Existential thought tends to focus on the condition of human existence, and an individual's emotions, actions, responsibilities, and thoughts, or the meaning/purpose of life.

When we feel comfortable and harmonious in the world, we are able to view people as connected and related, and we can generate a positive mood and attitude about our place and purpose in the world.

Author's suggestions for experiencing more positive emotions and thus greater self-esteem:

• have compassion for ourselves and others


• work to let go of the past and be in the present moment


• do something kind for someone else


• visualize your best possible future and establish measurable and realistic goals to work toward this aspiration

How to Use Positive Emotions to Enhance Self-esteem | Adventures in Positive Psychology