What is Positive Psychology? Why is it important? Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan explained:
What is Positive Psychology? Why is it Important? How do we achieve happiness? Can happiness be earned, or does it actually exist within the human being? Is it possible to find happiness in small things or should we look for happiness in big things? All these questions that come to every person's mind are actually about our perspectives. Our expectations, our experiences in life, what we share with people... All of these shape our answers to these questions.
So, how can we be happy when there are many disasters in the world we live in, from epidemics to natural disasters; when a large part of the human population is struggling with hunger and wars; when the routine difficulties of daily life are too much for everyone? There is a branch of science that provides this: Positive Psychology. As a branch of science that focuses on people's positive character traits, strengths and virtues, directs them to make life more fulfilling and contributes to their pursuit of happiness, Positive Psychology aims to identify and develop the factors that will enable both individuals individually and entire societies made up of individuals to be successful.
Psychology brings negative to zero. If we consider diseases as negative, the psychology that cures them makes people normal, that is, it makes minus zero. Positive psychology, on the other hand, brings people to a positive state. It aims to increase well-being and happiness. It aims to increase the quality of life of a healthy person. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University, explains where the roots of Positive Psychology lie and why it has recently come to the fore:
"Especially after 2005, due to the increase in the suicide rate in the USA, the increase in violence, and the increase in human cruelty, psychiatry has turned towards defining evil. Why do people become evil, why has bloodthirstiness and cruelty increased? Why have addictions increased? Why have divorces increased? While searching for answers to these questions, the question "can't we manage to be happy?" has become the most important question to be answered. In the US, studies conducted by measuring the use of anti-depressants from sewage waste revealed that people have become unable to live without these drugs. Positive Psychology is a branch of science formed to combat this problem. When we look at it, the truths taken from ancient cultures, Eastern teachings, Sufism and Mevlana are explained, systematized and presented to the people of this age with scientific methodology. It is currently being taught at Harvard University as course number 1504 and described as a 'groundbreaking course'."
Why is Positive Psychology Important?
First of all, it is important to realize that Positive Psychology is different from Polytheism. Pollyannism is not seeing anything negative in life and looking at everything positively. However, Positive Psychology aims to see all the positive and negative aspects of life, to struggle with the negative and focus on the positive. Psychology focuses on understanding human behavior, but most of its efforts are focused on understanding and treating mental disorders. It is not possible to say that people who do not have any mental problems always lead a happy life. There is a need for positive psychology's research, studies and recommendations to help people, whether happy or unhappy, to improve their quality of life and achieve a higher level of satisfaction. Discovering the strengths and positive aspects of human beings and focusing on them with positive psychology will affect the family, society and all humanity together with individuals.