Three Pathways

Orin Davis, the first person to receive a PhD in positive psychology, honors his mentor, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, for not just being a great contributor to the field, but also being a powerful role model of how to be a good scientist. Csikszentmihaly was open to seeing his own ideas challenged, extended, or even contradicted.

How do adventure, curiosity, and exploration contribute to well-being? Why do some of our most treasured memories come from experiences that weren’t pleasant at the time? Why do some researchers believe we need an additional dimension of well-being beyond happiness and feeling that life is meaningful?

Let’s look at this year’s stellar IPPA World Congress from a Transcendent Strengths perspective. The transcendent strengths are those that help us connect to the larger universe. Expression of these strengths enhances the sense that life is meaningful: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, and spirituality. Let me highlight some speakers and experiences …

The latest version of the MAPP Magazine is now available with articles about expectations of well-being during trying times, perspectives from Dr. Angela Duckworth on this past pandemic year, and the broad range of capstone topics chosen by the 2020 class of MAPP graduates. We invite you to read and subscribe.

Studies have revealed that not only are physical, mental, and social well-being important components for total health, but they are tightly interrelated. The evidence also shows that a happy, engaged, and fulfilling psychological and social life is not just a consequence of good health. It leads people to live a healthy and long life. Medical …