Psychologists
Martin Seligman
/ˈsɛlɪɡmən/
Also Known As Martin E. P. Seligman
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Martin Seligman (born 1942) is an American psychologist, educator and author regarded as the founder of positive psychology. He is the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs the Positive Psychology Center, and was elected president of the American Psychological Association for 1998. His earlier research established the theory of learned helplessness.
Facts
Nationality / Culture Defining ContributionFounded positive psychology as a field of scientific study, redirecting psychological research toward well-being and human strengths. His earlier learned helplessness experiments at the University of Pennsylvania showed that animals conditioned to an inescapable aversive situation later failed to attempt escape even when escape became possible. 1 Notable WorkThe Optimistic Child; Child's Play; Learned Optimism; Authentic Happiness; Flourish 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Schools Founded
Named president of the American Psychological Association in 1998, when he made positive psychology the theme of his presidential term.
Studies Conducted
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Martin Seligman
WikipedialeadQuote, lead
Seligman is a strong promoter within the scientific community of his theories of well-being and positive psychology.
1. Wikipedia: Martin Seligman
WikipediaPositive Psychology sectionQuote, Positive Psychology section
Seligman worked with Christopher Peterson to create what they describe as a 'positive' counterpart to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
1. Wikipedia: Martin Seligman
WikipediaLearned Helplessness sectionQuote, Learned Helplessness section
the recently conditioned dogs did not respond to opportunities to learn to escape from an unpleasant situation
1. Wikipedia: Martin Seligman
WikipediaBibliography/Publications sectionQuote, Bibliography/Publications section
Seligman has written about positive psychology topics in books such as The Optimistic Child, Child's Play, Learned Optimism, Authentic Happiness, and Flourish.
Penn Positive Psychology Center: Martin E.P. Seligman profile
University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Centerprofile headingQuote, profile heading
Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman is the Director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center and Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology in the Penn Department of Psychology.
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