Psychology of happiness

The Age, Denise Ryan, 11 February 2008

The Association of Independent Schools of Victoria and Geelong Grammar School are hosting a Visiting Lecture Series
on Positive Psychology. Dr Martin Seligman, an international expert on the ‘psychology of happiness’, will be working
with Geelong Grammar School’s staff to encourage students to live happier and more resilient lives.

Positive Psychology seeks to prevent depression and helps to build lifelong happiness among young people. It is the understanding and building of a ‘full life’, which includes aspects of the pleasant life, the engaged life, the meaningful
life and the achieving life.

Dr Seligman, who is on sabbatical from the Pennsylvania University Centre for Positive Psychology, will live at Geelong Grammar School with his family and teach both staff and students the benefits of positive psychology and education.

Dr Seligman’s visit coincides with the opening of Geelong Grammar School’s new wellbeing centre, due to open in April this year. The wellbeing centre comprises traditional facilities such as a gymnasium and a swimming pool, but it will
also provide students with facilities for preventative services, such as counselling, fitness and nutritional advice,
massage, meditation, physiotherapy and Pilates and yoga.

Regardless of personal circumstances, Dr Seligman believes that it is possible for all young people to be happier and
feel more engaged and satisfied with life. Dr Seligman will be presenting on 15 February 2008 at The University of Melbourne, Parkville. For further information on Dr Seligman and other visiting lecturers, a Positive Psychology
brochure can be downloaded here (PDF).

 

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