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Martin E. P. Seligman (born August 12, 1942, in Albany, New York) is an American psychologist and writer of self-help books. He is well known for his work on the idea of "learned helplessness", and more recently, for his contributions to leadership in the field of positive psychology.
According to Haggbloom et al's study of the most eminent psychologists of the 20th century, Seligman was the 13th most frequently cited psychologist in introductory psychology textbooks throughout the century.1
Seligman is the Robert A. Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology in the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Psychology. He was previously the Director of the Clinical Training Program in the department. Seligman has served as President of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division of Clinical Psychology. Seligman was elected President of the APA by the widest margin in its history and served during the 1998 term.2 He is the founding editor-in-chief of Prevention and Treatment Magazine (the APA electronic journal), is on the board of advisers of Parents, and is chairman of the Scientific Board at Foresight, Inc.
Seligman is also a best-selling author, writing about positive psychology topics such as The Optimistic Child, Learned Optimism, and, in 2002, Authentic Happiness.
Seligman is also a talented bridge player, whose accomplishments include a second-place finish in one of the three major North American pair championships, the Blue Ribbon Pairs (1997) along with many regional championships.
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Positive psychology
Positive psychology, the study of optimal human functioning, is an attempt to respond to the systematic bias inherent in psychology's historical emphasis on mental illness rather than on mental wellness. Some humanistic psychologists developed theories along these lines, but without solid empirical support. The pioneering research of a new generation of psychologists has led to a renewed interest in this approach, providing a firm scientific foundation for the study of human happiness and optimal function, thus adding a positive side to the predominantly negative discipline of psychology.
MAPP program
The Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania was established under the leadership of Seligman as the first educational initiative of the Positive Psychology Center in 2003. Offered through the university's College of Liberal and Professional Studies, the degree is granted by the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences.
Developed by an interdisciplinary team of scholars, the program benefits from the hands-on involvement of innovators in the field and represents ground-breaking applied research. Directed toward working professionals and recent college graduates in related fields, the program trains students in the history, theory, and basic research methods of Positive Psychology and in the application of positive psychology in various professional settings.
There is now a program at the University of East London in the United Kingdom running along the same lines as the Penn program.
Torture Controversy
According to author Jane Mayer3, two CIA interrogation advisors used Seligman's work on learned helplessness to enhance methods of torture.
Seligman gave a talk at the Navy SERE school in San Diego in 2002, which he later described as a three-hour talk on the subject of helping U.S. soldiers to resist torture.
Publications
- Seligman, M. E. P. (1975). Helplessness: On Depression, Development, and Death. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-0752-7 (Paperback reprint edition, 1992, W.H. Freeman, ISBN 0-7167-2328-X)
- Seligman, M. E. P. (1990). Learned Optimism. New York: Knopf. (reissue edition, 1998, Free Press, ISBN 0-671-01911-2)
- Seligman, M. E. P. (1993). What You Can Change and What You Can't: The Complete Guide to Successful Self-Improvement. New York: Knopf. ISBN 0-679-41024-4 (Paperback reprint edition, 1995, Ballantine Books, ISBN 0-449-90971-9)
- Seligman, M. E. P. (1996). The Optimistic Child: Proven Program to Safeguard Children from Depression & Build Lifelong Resilience. New York: Houghton Mifflin. (Paperback edition, 1996, Harper Paperbacks, ISBN 0-06-097709-4)
- Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. New York: Free Press. ISBN 0-7432-2297-0 (Paperback edition, 2004, Free Press, ISBN 0-7432-2298-9)
- Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). '"Can Happiness be Taught?". Daedalus, Spring 2004.
References
- ^ Haggbloom, S.J. et al. (2002). The 100 Most Eminent Psychologists of the 20th Century. Review of General Psychology. Vol. 6, No. 2, 139–15.
- ^ List of APA Presidents
- ^ Horton, Scott. Six Questions for Jane Mayer, Author of The Dark Side, Harper's Magazine
External links
- "Eudaemonia, the Good Life: A Talk with Martin Seligman", an article wherein Seligman speaks extensively on the topic of eudaemonia, about which some consider him an expert
- "The Positive Psychology Center", a website devoted to positive psychology. Martin Seligman is director of the Positive Psychology Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
- Program description for Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree established by Seligman
- Martin E. P. Seligman Award at the John Templeton Foundation
- Martin E. P. Seligman's curriculum vitae at the University of Pennsylvania
- TED Talk: Why is psychology good?
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Seligman, Martin E.P. |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | American psychologist and writer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 12 August 1942 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Albany, New York |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
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