Positive psychology is defined in many different ways. The Positive Psychology Institute describes it as the study of the strengths and virtues that allow individuals and communities to thrive. The positive psychology movement was started by Martin Seligman, also known as the father of positive psychology. Psychology has primarily focused on treating mental illnesses, however psychology has not really been used to improve the lives of people who are not affected by mental illnesses and this is what drove Seligman and a group of others to work on psychology positive. The main goal of the positive psychology movement was to make psychology focus not just on weakness, but on strength and how to make normal life more fulfilling. There are three different types of happiness that you can experience. The pleasant life, experiencing as many positive emotions as possible, the busy life, where time stops for you when you do what you like, and the meaningful life, using your strengths for a greater cause. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The first type of happiness, the pleasant life, is about seeking happiness with the senses and experiencing as much pleasure as possible, such as having a good meal, a fun vacation, or buying a new car. It's basically about trying to have as many positive experiences as possible. However, there are a couple of obstacles in pleasant life. The first is that positive emotions are 50% heritable and barely modifiable. Everyone comes from different walks of life, which gives them different ideas of happiness and different ways of experiencing it, some being able to experience it more than others. Another obstacle is that positive emotions tend to become habituated quite quickly. For example, someone might have just bought a crazy new high definition 3D TV, is very happy with it at first, but after a while stops feeling so impressed and sees it like any other TV. The second type of happiness is the life of engagement, also called the good life. This life is all about finding your "flow". Flow is a feeling someone feels when they are absorbed in their own worth. For example, if swimming is someone's passion, as they swim laps around the pool, they may feel as if time has stopped for them and that they are completely focused on what they are doing and nothing else. The last type of happiness is the meaningful life. Meaningful living is knowing your strengths and using them to contribute to something bigger than yourself. You feel as if your life has a purpose, as if you are working to fulfill your destiny. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Martin Seligman started the positive psychology movement because he felt that psychology was focused on treating mental illnesses and the negative side of psychology when in reality it is equally important to help people with and without mental illnesses find happiness. Positive psychology focuses on people's strengths rather than their weaknesses.