What is positive psychology and how is it directly linked to humanistic perspectives? What is potentially new about this movement? What elements of humanistic psychology have yet to be fully addressed by this approach?

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study and promotion of positive emotions, strengths, and virtues that contribute to human flourishing. It is directly linked to humanistic perspectives in that both emphasize the importance of personal growth, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness of individuals. Both perspectives also prioritize the study of human potential and the factors that contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

One potentially new aspect of the positive psychology movement is its emphasis on empirical research and evidence-based interventions to promote well-being. While humanistic psychology also values research and evidence, positive psychology has brought a renewed focus on scientifically studying positive emotions and strengths, and developing interventions based on this research.

However, there are elements of humanistic psychology that have yet to be fully addressed by the positive psychology approach. For example, humanistic psychology places a strong emphasis on the role of the therapist-client relationship and the importance of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness in facilitating personal growth. While positive psychology acknowledges the importance of positive relationships, it may not fully address the depth of the therapeutic relationship as emphasized in humanistic psychology.

Additionally, humanistic psychology emphasizes the importance of subjective experiences, personal meaning, and the unique qualities of each individual. While positive psychology acknowledges the importance of individual differences, it may not fully capture the richness and complexity of human experience as emphasized in humanistic psychology.

In conclusion, positive psychology is directly linked to humanistic perspectives in its focus on human potential and well-being, but there are still aspects of humanistic psychology that have yet to be fully addressed by the positive psychology approach.