Brain and Happiness, 2

Martin Seligman PhD is director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center, Zellerbach family Professor of Psychology in the Penn Department of Psychology, and Director of the Penn master of Applied Positive Psychology Program or MAPP. Commonly known as the founder of Positive Psychology, Seligman is a leading authority in the fields of resilience, learned helplessness, depression, optimism, and pessimism; and a recognized authority on interventions that prevent depression, and build strengths and well-being. He has said that happiness is not solely derived from external and momentary pleasures. He coined the acronym PERMA to outline correlational findings related to happiness. Human beings appear to be happiest when they have:

1.   Pleasure (shelter, safety, good food, warm baths, etc.)

2.   Engagement or flow (the absorption in and of an enjoyable yet challenging activity)

3.   Relationships (social ties that are reciprocal, rewarding, and can be counted on)

4.   Meaning (a perceived personal quest or belonging to something bigger than oneself)

5.   Accomplishments (having realized tangible goals)

As outlined by PERMA, how happy are you?