Mental Health Tuesday for November 4, 2008

Mental Health Tuesday is broadcast the first Tuesday of every month by KULY, 1420 AM, in Ulysses.

This month's topic is Positive Psychology, the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Although this pursuit obviously has a long philosophical and theological history, it was first organized as a scientific discipline in 1998 by Martin Seligman who is, perhaps, best known for his discovery of "learned helplessness."

The key strengths and virtues examined by Positive Psychology are:

1. Wisdom and Knowledge: creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, perspective
2. Courage: bravery, persistence, integrity, vitality
3. Humanity: love, kindness, social intelligence
4. Justice: citizenship, fairness, leadership
5. Temperance: forgiveness and mercy, humility, prudence, self control
6. Transcendence: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality

Much more can be learned about Positive Psychology at the Positive Psychology Center, located on the campus of Penn State.