Martin Seligman's Three Dimensions Of Happiness

Positive psychology is new evolving branch in psychology. Positive psychology focuses more on people’s lives making it more prosperous, healthy and flourishing happiness in life. In past psychology was more involved in mental illness and other psychological dysfunctions.

Abraham Maslow an early psychology researcher prioritised human psychology, which focused on people’s strengths and potential rather than neuro science and pathology (clinical) methods. Following next generation of psychologists such as Seligman and Mihaly Csiskzenmihalyi are focused on scientific study of the effects of positive emotions and its effects on health, performance and overall life satisfaction. These studies have shown that happiness can be taught and learned.

He wrote book on “Authentic Happiness theory”, which was best seller.Martin Seligman has a systematic theory and he uses the scientific method to explore it and reach on conclusions. Seligman’s described that happiness has three dimensions that can be cultivated: the Pleasant Life, the Good Life, and the Meaningful Life.

The Seligman’s has said that there are circumstances and things that can be controlled and if we decide to change them with real effort, our level of happiness increases. His philosophy was based on three fundamental elements;

• The pleasant life: a life that successfully obtains the positive emotions about the past, today and tomorrow.

• The good life: using signature qualities and strengths to obtain rich satisfaction by doing activities in real scenario of life.

• The meaningful life: using signature strengths and virtues in something much larger than we are.

Later, Seligman revised and updated his theory model and explained it as birth of new theory. Radical Re-thinking “Well Being Theory”

He explained that,

• Thales thought that everything was water,

• Aristotle thought all human actions were to achieve happiness

• Nietzsche thought that all human action was to get power

• Freud thought that all human actions were to avoid

There is no point on setting goals and ambitions we never complete it. To have sense of happiness, accomplishment is really necessary. After all what’s purpose of doing anything that is never accomplished. . We encourage the same ideas and skills to other, which gives appreciation and value as well. Therefore, setting goal is always better for self-motivation and hunger to succeed.

Above, we discussed the PERMA model , re-thought by Mr. Seligman.

Similarly, Sojana Lyubomirsky a positive psychology researcher has explained that happiness depends on three elements (from book “How of Happiness”)

1. Set point - 50%

2. Circumstances - 10%

3. Self-Power -40%

She has clearly described that 40% of happiness depends on our actions and power to change.

This means huge part of changing our lives is within our reach. We can change attitude right from today and we can sense the difference. In her book she has mentioned the steps of being happier, and simple strategies which are easy to follow. Depression, pain, regrets, being lazy and being less active, demoralised, insecurity are things which makes people stay behind the happiness and success line. Definitely if we go through the strategies she has mentioned than its going to change our perception which will have positive effects on people’s life and