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This project is an on-line platform for learning with the purpose of sharing education articles, videos, books for Psychology today.

Altruism as Enlightened Self-Interest

Do we help others because we enjoy it?

One perk of writing about heroism and altruism is that you meet so many remarkable people who change the way you look at the world. While researching my book (link is external), I spoke with extreme altruist Christoph Von Toggenburg, who has devoted his life to others in a variety of ways—from raising money for homeless Romanian children to biking across Europe and Asia to help leprosy sufferers. MORE...

What Is Positive Psychology?

Positive psychology examines what gives our lives meaning and purpose—how we can move beyond surviving to flourishing. Traditionally, psychology has focused on dysfunction—people with mental illness or other issues—and how to treat it. Positive psychology, in contrast, is a field that explores how ordinary people can become happier and more fulfilled. But positive psychology works in tandem with abnormal psychology, not as a replacement for it. According to the late Christopher Peterson, a pioneering researcher in the field, the positive psychology movement is founded on three maxims: “What is good in life is as genuine as what is bad.… What is good in life is not simply the absence of what is problematic.… And third, the good life requires its own explanation, not simply a theory of disorder stood sideways or flipped on its head.”

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is awareness of one's internal states and surroundings. Mindfulness can help people avoid destructive or automatic habits and responses by learning to observe their thoughts, emotions, and other present-moment experiences without judging or reacting to them.

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What is Psychodrama?

Psychodrama is an action method, often used as a psychotherapy, in which clients use spontaneous dramatization, role playing, and dramatic self-presentation to investigate and gain insight into their lives.

Developed by Jacob L. Moreno, psychodrama includes elements of theater, often conducted on a stage, or a space that serves as a stage area, where props can be used. A psychodrama therapy group, under the direction of a licensed psychodramatist, reenacts real-life, past situations (or inner mental processes), acting them out in present time. Participants then have the opportunity to evaluate their behavior, reflect on how the past incident is getting played out in the present and more deeply understand particular situations in their lives.

The original theory of psychodrama

Proposed by Moreno in 1921...MORE

Positive Psychology News!

Daniel Tomasulo is a master story teller. He is also a man with an important purpose.

In his new book released (May 1, 2018), American Snake Pit, the purpose is to open the eyes of his readers to the humanity of people with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. I think reading this book can make our moral circles a little bit larger.

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The Role of Positive Emotions in Positive Psychology

The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions MORE...

How to Practice Tonglen

Pema Chödrön teaches us “sending and taking,” an ancient Buddhist practice to awaken compassion. With each in-breath, we take in others’ pain. With each out-breath, we send them relief. MORE...

Psychotherapy Networker Magazine

Point of View

Art and Trauma: Accessing Creative Paths to Healing

By Ryan Howes

March/April 2018

A leader in expressive art therapy explains why it’s increasingly being used to help combat vets find relief from trauma. More...