

Martin Seligman || From Learned Helplessness to Learned Hopefulness
14 snips Jun 4, 2020
Dr. Martin Seligman, a leading authority in positive psychology and resilience, dives into fascinating topics like learned helplessness and human agency. He shares insights about the transformative power of optimism and how resilience can counteract adversity. Seligman discusses his research journey, transitioning from animal studies to exploring well-being, as well as the role of positive psychology during challenging times like the pandemic. Reflecting on gratitude and meaningful relationships, he emphasizes the importance of fostering hope in both personal and societal contexts.
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Career Turning Point
- Martin Seligman's mentor, Aaron Beck, told him he was wasting his life.
- A dream later prompted Seligman to shift his research from psychopathology to the good life.
Optimism and Resilience
- Seligman's research on learned helplessness revealed that about one-third of subjects remained resilient.
- He discovered that optimism played a key role in this resilience.
APA Presidency
- Despite being told he couldn't win, Seligman ran for APA president based on Consumer Reports study results.
- He won by a large margin.