The Hopkins chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, presents "Happier," on March 6 at 4 p.m. in Shriver Hall. This is a talk by Tal Ben-Shahar on positive psychology, or in other words, the psychology of how to be happy.
Ben-Shahar, a professor at Harvard University, taught a course on this very subject, which went on to become the most popular course in the history of Harvard. He has also appeared on talk shows such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
He is a world leader in teaching people how to be proactive in making their lives happier by translating his and other people's research findings into practical applications everyone can adapt in their lives immediately.
Such methods are extremely applicable to people in high-stress situations, such as students at Hopkins, who are constantly surrounded and in a high-pressure academmic setting.
According to Ben-Shahar, the field of positive psychology seeks to study optimal human functioning and hopes to provide practical tools and methods for better living. He focuses on ideas which can make life happier and covers topics related to simplifying lives, learning to recognize the mind-body connection, focusing on the positive aspects of life and more.
This field of psychology is not interested in mental illness in any way, shape, or form. Rather, they look to make life more fulfilling by nurting natural abilities and talents.
Research in this field focuses on concepts such as states of pleasure, values, talents and how to promote thinking positively in society as well as institutions.
This field, created to complement traditional psychological, came from the teachings of humanistic psychologists Maslow, Rogers, and Fromm, all of whom developed theories related to human happiness and how to achieve maximum happiness. Although there were already empirical studies supporting theories of human flourishing, positive psychology didn't officially became a new area of psychology until 1998.
Positive psychologists focus on a variety of topics, including age, parenting, weather, religion and intelligence.
This talk is merely a kick-off for an effort throughout the Hopkins community to promote happiness and improve the quality of living for everyone at Hopkins and the surrounding neighborhoods and communities.
Next year, a course in positive psychology will be available to all students. More details about this course will be made available prior to Fall registration to those who are interested.
