Martin Seligman and his interesting theories

Martin Seligman is a renowned American psychologist and writer, born August 12, 1924 in Albany, United States. He is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and represents one of the main references in the world of positive psychology. His theories of “learned helplessness” and “well-being” are iconic today.

Seligman has been characterized by having an outstanding career throughout his life. He was president of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and editor of his famous newsletter Prevention and Treatment. All this has led to his consolidation as a psychologist and author of several books, which have catapulted him as an important theorist of the subject and a great researcher.

The studies carried out by Dr. Martin Seligman and his positive psychology They focus mainly on addressing the depression . It postulates that we are capable of using more intelligent strategies when hope beats in our eyes.

There are many contributions that Martin Seligman has left us regarding depression caused by negative thoughts. His work follows the line of studies of Professor Aaron T. Beck, who has also stood out for his contributions in treatments against depression. Likewise, in cognitive therapy related to problems with the perception of reality and loss of control over negative experiences.

At this point, it is worth remembering that positive psychology dedicates a good part of its efforts to identify those factors or variables that make certain people very resistant on the mental level in the face of difficulty. One of these factors is precisely our inertia when it comes to thinking, to position ourselves against problems in the imaginary plane that we construct and in which we place them.

Theory of learned helplessness

Martin Seligman has proposed with his theories the possibility of increasing well-being and reducing depression in patients. Its postulates provide wonderful tools to solve problems and modify perception. of the world in those who are depressed. Likewise, the study of happiness has helped find ways to strengthen virtues and abilities.

One of the central concepts in Martin Seligman’s work is “learned helplessness.”. This is related to the absence of activity or lack of response to situations that threaten the subject, which becomes a source of depression for many people. It takes place when someone experiences a situation and simply lets the results happen, without acting in any way. This occurs in a framework where there are automatic negative thoughts, which prevent action.

Based on these reflections, in 2002 Martin Seligman created the theory of authentic happiness in people. Later, he carried out experimental studies that later became the theory of well-being and the PERMA Model. These focus on how positive emotions and relationships, along with personal commitment, lead to goal achievement and emotional balance.

Experimentally, The need to counteract the negative thoughts of human beings as an antidepressant mechanism was raised., highlighting the emotions of happiness and optimism. That is, in order not to fall into depression, we must rationalize or explain the situations that occur to us, in a positive and not a negative way. This implies a perspective of enjoyment and hope.

Unlearning versus learned helplessness

The management we do of our interpersonal relationships is directly associated with our mental health, particularly with self-esteem and the problem-solving strategies we tend to use. In this sense, learned helplessness (absence of hope) It prevents us from mobilizing our resources to try to get out of a complicated situation.

In other words, it makes us give up and give up. A position that in many cases leads directly to depression. That’s how it is able to greatly influence our way of acting, thinking and feeling.

In many cases, Anxiety and depression appear when we feel unable to find solutions to problems. The absence of initiative when facing a difficulty or the delegation of all responsibility are two of the correlates of this learned helplessness. Seligman states that this absence of self-efficacy (I can do it) conjugated with a low locus of control (achieve it depends on me) can be unlearned as a vital attitude.

Difficult situations at work, school or in the social or family environment can generate a feeling of helplessness in someone, while at the same time feeling attacked or violated. When this happens, it is not enough to tell the person in such a situation what they should do. More than that, it is make him see that he retains the ability to positively influence what happens.

Imagine, for example, an injured athlete. This athlete may have to go without running for a while to recover. He may not be able to use this usual method to improve his performance, but he can use others. For example, he may go to a physiotherapist to speed up recovery, work on strength in the muscle chains that have not been affected by the injury, or take care of his diet to avoid gaining weight.

An athlete, Prey to learned helplessness, you will feel that the only thing you can do is let time pass until the injury heals.. This attitude will not only frustrate you and undermine your sense of control, but it will also mean that when you return from the injury you will have to regain all the fitness you have lost.

Well-being theory or PERMA Model

Another of Martin Seligman’s great contributions to psychology is the PERMA Model; which describes the free choice of people to increase their well-being. Therefore, it collects the bases and indicators to feel good, be positive and maintain that attitude and feeling for as long as possible in everyday life and in life.

It should be noted that this model is an evolution of its first proposal The three ways to happiness (1999). So the author changes his object of study, going from studying happiness to studying well-being (2010).

In this case, PERMA is an acronym that groups the five main elements on which this model revolves.; which are summarized in:

P (positive emotions): It means increasing the amount of positive emotions (gratitude, hope, love, curiosity, etc.), but not at the cost of exchange or transposition with the negative ones (fear, sadness, anger, etc.) but as a tool to deal with them.E (engagement): It consists of making a commitment to ourselves and our strengths, in order to place ourselves in a state of harmony, affinity, flow of consciousness. That is, the commitment to the search for those activities that allow us to enter an optimal state of activation. Like when we are so immersed in a project or task and time seems to stop, because we only concentrate on what we are doing in the present moment.R (relationships): It means promoting healthy and positive relationships, as it is an essential factor for achieving our well-being.M (meaning and purpose): This factor refers to the search for meaning and purpose in our lives and implies belonging to something greater than ourselves. In this way, each objective achieved, each goal obtained, each purpose achieved has a relevant meaning underlying it that imbues it with a transcendental meaning.TO (accomplishment): represents success and a sense of achievement. Therefore, it implies the establishment of goals, which, once achieved, will serve to feel competent and autonomous.

For Seligman, If we manage to cover all these factors, we can achieve sustainable and full well-being. However, it clarifies that we should not try to promote each and every one of the factors of the PERMA model equally, not even in a mandatory or tax way; But we must try to promote those with whom we identify and feel most comfortable, without needing to mortgage our own well-being.

Positive emotions and motivation to act in difficult situations

As we see, Martin Seligman’s approach is aimed at working on emotions in a positive way. He nourishes and highlights the good things in every human being. This, by itself, It helps a person’s confidence and self-esteem increase considerably.

The objective is to ensure that individuals are able to deploy their capabilities in conflictive situations. Wanted promote positive resolution of difficulties and motivate effective actions in specific situations. Unlearn that behavior of letting things go or repressing them.

Finally, Seligman’s concept of well-being encompasses happiness and optimism. Both can be found through positive emotions, commitment to activities, positive relationships with the environment, forging personal purposes and achievements. This is what at the end of the day prevents someone from falling into depression and promotes a pleasant life.

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