Going against the prevailing research on the impact of negative emotions on behavior, Martin Seligman focuses on the influential power of positive emotions.
Seligman has extensively studied the phenomenon of "learned helplessness". This feeling of powerlessness, which develops due to a lack of control over one's environment, leads to a state of reactive depression, resulting in inhibition and lack of motivation1.
Positive psychology builds upon the work carried out during the 20th century, including Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory.
It has also led to the development of practical tools such as Appreciative Inquiry. This method primarily emphasizes the successes of a team or company, allowing us to put our mistakes into perspective and view them as learning opportunities rather than failures. This approach aligns well with the learning organization concept discussed in the chapter on New Ways of Working.
Positive psychology has gained significant popularity among the general public. Still, it must combat the misperception that it is synonymous with the current trend of positive thinking, which often borders on wishful thinking, and the Coué method, as famously depicted in Dany Boon's "Je vais bien, tout va bien..." (I'm fine, everything's OK...).
Positive psychology is defined as "the study of the conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of individuals, groups, and institutions"2.