Why You Cannot Afford to Ignore Positive Psychology

When it comes to the field of positive psychology, there’s a ton of information and misunderstanding. Many coaches feel resistant to the idea of shifting their coaching philosophy from a deficit mentality to a strength-based one. The most common question that comes up is how will players improve their weaknesses if we only focus on their strengths? In this post, I’ll answer that question, along with the other most common questions about what positive psychology is and why it’s so important to understand.

What exactly is positive psychology?

Positive psychology is a framework based in scientific research that contains formal strength assessments to help athletes reach their optimal potential (Biswas-Diener, 2010). Martin Seligman is considered the father of positive psychology because his research on resilience, happiness, wellbeing, and strengths laid the foundation for a shift from focusing on mental illness, trauma, suffering, and pain to focusing on happiness, wellbeing, flourishing, flow, and strengths (Ackerman, 2022). Positive psychology ultimately asks what’s right with people, instead of what’s wrong with them. (Ackerman, 2022).

Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living.” (Peterson, 2008).

Why is positive psychology often overlooked?

The field of psychology is rooted in a deficit approach that primarily focuses on the diagnosis of symptoms. Diagnosing the root of mental illness, pain and suffering is the very foundation of psychology. The field of psychology at large has ignored positive functioning because oftentimes fixing what is wrong inherently feels more urgent than building upon what is right.  Many coaches in sport also maintain the philosophy that an athlete’s weaknesses represent their greatest area for potential growth (Robert Biswas-Diener, 2010). However, the field of positive psychology suggests an alternative approach that prioritizes athlete mental health and wellness, while building upon their inherent strengths.

What are the benefits of adopting a positive psychology framework?

Positive psychology cannot guarantee the outcome of happy athletes or teams, however it can provide a framework and deliver tools for their athletes to develop skills, cultivate balance, and find their own sense of meaning in their sport (Biswas-Diener, 2010). The evidenced-based research on positive psychology indicates that adopting a framework of positive psychology leads to a reduction in athlete burnout rates, increased internal motivation, and a strengthened sense of purpose on the court or playing field.

The most common myth of positive psychology

The most common myth about positive psychology is that it ignores problems and weaknesses. This is simply not true. Although the positive psychology is largely focused on strength identification, rather a diagnosis of illness or weakness, the framework is founded upon a growth-mindset model that is always seeking to improve, grow, heal, adapt, and learn. Therefore, athlete weaknesses will naturally improve over time as the athlete becomes stronger, more confident, and self-aware as a result of using a positive psychology approach.

Three sample interventions to get you started

Positive psychology is supported by evidence-based research that supports interventions and approaches (Biswas-Diener, 2010). Research studies show that focusing on strengths identification, optimism, and gratitude results in increased happiness, higher rates of recovery, and lower rates of depression (Robert Biswas-Diener, 2010). Strengths-based therapy has been found to produce a higher success rate when compared to therapies that do not focus on strengths (Robert Biswas-Diener, 2010). 

1. Build a strengths vocabulary. The VIA Survey of Character Strengths is a self-assessment of character strengths that can be taken online for free. Coaches can have their players take the strengths tests to learn more about how their teams.
2. Create a culture of positivity by asking to players to talk about their strengths. Start with questions like: What do you like best about yourself on or off the court? Or What aspect of your game are you most proud of? Many athletes, especially female ones, are socialized to be humble and recoil when asked to talk about their strengths for fear of appearing overly confident (Biswas-Diener, 2010). 
3. Conduct a gratitude exercise. Research studies have linked gratitude to higher levels of social support and reduced depression (Steen, Seligman, Peterson, & Park, 2005), in addition to lower rates of social anxiety (Kashdan, Julian, Merritt, & Uswatte, 2006). An easy intervention that anyone can implement is to have players keep a daily journal of three things they are thankful for (Biswas-Diener, 2010). 

References:

Biswas-Diener, Robert. (2010). Practicing Positive Psychology Coaching: Assessment, Activities and Strategies for Success. Wiley.

Ackerman, Courtney E. (2022). What is positive psychology? & Why is it important? https://positivepsychology.com/what-is-positive-psychology-definition/