Faculty

Martin Seligman

PhD
Professor of Psychology, Director Positive Psychology Center
University of Pennsylvania

Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD (in Psychology), is the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where he focuses on positive psychology, learned helplessness, depression, and optimism. He is a best-selling author of several books, including Flourish. He received the American Psychological Society’s William James Fellow Award for basic science and Cattell Award for the application of science, and two Distinguished Scientific Contribution awards from the American Psychological Association. In 1996, Seligman was elected President of the American Psychological Association by the largest vote in modern history. His current mission is the attempt to transform social science to work on the best things in life—strengths, positive emotion, good relationships, meaning, and human flourishing. He was named by Academic Influence as the most influential living psychologist in the world.

2024 Sessions

Keynote - Agency and Positive Psychology

Join the father of Positive Psychology in this session as we explore the world history of Agency and its relation to the past, present, and future of Positive Psychology, Positive Education, and Positive Psychotherapy. Highlighted concepts will include PERMA, Causal Intervention, Well-being, Future Mindedness, Learned Optimism, and Learned Helplessness, among others. How are the Age of Progress and Positive Psychology related? What possibilities could arise from effectively using Positive Psychology in overcoming personal and global challenges? Attendees will be able to define, understand, and potentially implement Positive Psychology in their professional setting.

Speaker

Friday, December 11 3:15–4:15 PM
Faculty

Martin Seligman

PhD
Professor of Psychology, Director Positive Psychology Center
University of Pennsylvania

Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD (in Psychology), is the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where he focuses on positive psychology, learned helplessness, depression, and optimism. He is a best-selling author of several books, including Flourish. He received the American Psychological Society’s William James Fellow Award for basic science and Cattell Award for the application of science, and two Distinguished Scientific Contribution awards from the American Psychological Association. In 1996, Seligman was elected President of the American Psychological Association by the largest vote in modern history. His current mission is the attempt to transform social science to work on the best things in life—strengths, positive emotion, good relationships, meaning, and human flourishing. He was named by Academic Influence as the most influential living psychologist in the world.

The Past, Present, and Future of Positive Psychology

We will discuss Learned Helplessness, Learned Optimism, Happiness, Positive Psychotherapy, and Prospection.

Speaker

Saturday, December 12 8:00–9:00 AM
Conversation Hour
Faculty

Martin Seligman

PhD
Professor of Psychology, Director Positive Psychology Center
University of Pennsylvania

Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD (in Psychology), is the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where he focuses on positive psychology, learned helplessness, depression, and optimism. He is a best-selling author of several books, including Flourish. He received the American Psychological Society’s William James Fellow Award for basic science and Cattell Award for the application of science, and two Distinguished Scientific Contribution awards from the American Psychological Association. In 1996, Seligman was elected President of the American Psychological Association by the largest vote in modern history. His current mission is the attempt to transform social science to work on the best things in life—strengths, positive emotion, good relationships, meaning, and human flourishing. He was named by Academic Influence as the most influential living psychologist in the world.

Positive Psychology in the Post-COVID World

Well Being remains, in spite of Covid’s interruption, a plausible personal, corporate and planetary goal. I review the Age of Progress until Covid along with the barriers to continued progress. The belief in individual and collective Agency will determine our future. Efficacy, Optimism, and Imagination, the three parts of agency can be taught in the clinic, the classroom, and the corporation. Juliana of Norwich (1365) will be our beacon.

Keynote Speaker

Saturday, December 04 9:45–10:45 AM
Faculty

Martin Seligman

PhD
Professor of Psychology, Director Positive Psychology Center
University of Pennsylvania

Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD (in Psychology), is the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where he focuses on positive psychology, learned helplessness, depression, and optimism. He is a best-selling author of several books, including Flourish. He received the American Psychological Society’s William James Fellow Award for basic science and Cattell Award for the application of science, and two Distinguished Scientific Contribution awards from the American Psychological Association. In 1996, Seligman was elected President of the American Psychological Association by the largest vote in modern history. His current mission is the attempt to transform social science to work on the best things in life—strengths, positive emotion, good relationships, meaning, and human flourishing. He was named by Academic Influence as the most influential living psychologist in the world.

Conversation Hour: Martin Seligman

Join a conversation hour with Dr. Martin Seligman, Director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center and Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology in the Penn Department of Psychology

Speaker

Saturday, December 04 11:00–12:00 PM
Conversation Hour
Faculty

Martin Seligman

PhD
Professor of Psychology, Director Positive Psychology Center
University of Pennsylvania

Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD (in Psychology), is the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where he focuses on positive psychology, learned helplessness, depression, and optimism. He is a best-selling author of several books, including Flourish. He received the American Psychological Society’s William James Fellow Award for basic science and Cattell Award for the application of science, and two Distinguished Scientific Contribution awards from the American Psychological Association. In 1996, Seligman was elected President of the American Psychological Association by the largest vote in modern history. His current mission is the attempt to transform social science to work on the best things in life—strengths, positive emotion, good relationships, meaning, and human flourishing. He was named by Academic Influence as the most influential living psychologist in the world.

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