• Opinion

Positive Psychology in Schools and Education for Happy Students

• By Adrian Lomezzo
• July 4, 2021 10:04 AM

Affirmation transforms an individual. It plays with the psychology of the subject, creating a winner out of an average or under-performing individual.

Can the same approach be used in education? How far do positive vibes go to improve the performance of a person? Some studies you can check with Usessaywriters.com will help you know more about positive psychology or other issues.

What is Positive Psychology?

Away from education, positive psychology involves the study of thoughts, behaviors and feelings to establish what makes life worth living. The aim is to identify the strengths of an individual and reinforce them. In the process of strengthening these winning areas, the negative elements will take a backseat.

Psychologists argue that, instead of repairing a “bad” or “not-so-good” life, it is easier and more rewarding to build a good life going forward. The strengths of an individual become the pillars upon which this new life is built. The approach will move the life of an average person to make it great. Proponents argue that this approach is better than changing the life of a struggling person to make it normal.

In education, the same principle applies. A teacher or a parent looking at a student should focus on the strengths instead of weaknesses. You give the student confidence that he or she can achieve something.

The early proponents of positive psychology in education include John Dewey. The philosopher recognized that schools were molding points but they needed to take a different approach.

According to Dewey, the molding process assumes that everyone is made of the same material, that everyone should follow the same path. Dewey faulted the assertion insisting that each person was unique. For this reason, the role of the teacher and parent was to recognize the uniqueness for use in changing the life of the child. Identify the characteristics that should receive more attention for positive reinforcement.

The result of positive psychology in education would be diverse talents, bold students and better performance. Since everyone believes that he or she has something good, the entire class will produce excellent results. At the same time, the entire class is not being forced to perform well in one single area: The result will be a diversely talented class.

Positive psychology also applies at a personal level. An individual affirms the good attributes while ignoring the negative ones. It is a way of cultivating positive thoughts and assuming the negative ones.

In education, a student will focus on the subjects or areas in which he performs better. It provides an assurance that such a student is not daft or weak. The realization that you can perform well in one subject is enough encouragement that you can do better in the other subjects or topics.

When positive psychology is applied from within, it builds the confidence of a student from within. A student begins to perform better in other areas once he gains confidence that he can do well in one subject. The area that received positive reinforcement becomes an anchor for the others. It tags along the other units or subjects, resulting in improved overall performance.

Benefits of Practicing Positive Psychology

Whether positive psychology comes from within or from parents, guardians and teachers, the benefits are similar. Here is a look at the benefits arising from positive psychology in education.

1. Improved Self Esteem

The student begins to see himself as a worthy being. It is especially important for the student to see himself as capable and not in relation to other students. It eliminates ranking or competition for the same characteristics. A student does not have to be defined by others.

Self-esteem is the beginning of developing a confident student. A student with greater self-esteem takes initiatives in social and personal engagements. He will achieve more without thinking that others are better. Such a student can overcome any challenge, be it academic, social or personal.

2. Change in Perspective

Have you met a class or team that believes that it will always be second? When asked to challenge the top team or class, they admit defeat even before trying. Such a losing mentality takes time and a lot of effort to change. Even when the student or the team wins, they think that it was luck and are prepared to lose the next time.

The application of positive psychology builds fortitude. The student or class changes mentality and begins to think of themselves as winners. Positive psychology in education will get individuals and students out of the shadows. It opens a new chapter where the students shine.

3. Improved Relationships

Poor performance and low self-esteem cause people to withdraw. When asked to take up a task, a student will allow others to lead. It results from deficient self-belief, especially a feeling that you are not capable or will not meet the expectations of the person requiring your services.

Affirmation transforms this mentality. A student, for example, begins to believe that he is capable. He can stand in class, make a presentation and even develop a new perspective. The student will relate better with others because he feels worthy.

Positive reinforcement also makes the student appreciate other people. He feels that they appreciate his ability and are worthy partners in development. Improved social relationships will reflect in better academic performance.

4. Higher Productivity

Do you want a team or individual to deliver better results? Do you want to shorten delivery time? Know how to use positive reinforcement. It is a psychological boost that will compel workers or participants to work harder and faster.

Better productivity also comes from better self-esteem. An individual believes that he can. He finds creative ways of delivering the results. In fact, it has been credited with producing the most creative results. The student finds a new way of doing things because he is not forced to approach the problem through the traditional methods he might not be conversant with.

Better productivity also arises from improved socialization. The student can ask for help and collaborate with others in class because he feels a part of the larger system. When all their solutions and approaches are brought together, you have insightful solutions.

The benefits of adopting an optimistic approach as opposed to a pessimistic one cannot be underrated. It is interesting to note that this approach does not come with any additional resources. The same people using similar resources deliver excellent results. This is the magic of positive reinforcement.

How to practice positive psychology and produce happy students

Positive psychology does not require major lifestyle changes. A few adjustments and affirmation words are enough. Here are easy yet effective ways to practice positive psychology and change the life of students.

1. Gratitude Journal

Gratitude is best defined as a feeling of appreciation, thankfulness and a sense of wonder. It creates an effective buffer against negative emotions, worries, irritation, envy and hostility. Help the student to focus on the present moment instead of thinking of what could be in future.

People who are grateful are always happier, more energetic and hopeful. As a result of gratitude, the people will express more positive emotions. The positivity spreads to other people, resulting in good feelings.

A student or a team identifies a specific time when you spot the good things happening. Write them down in a journal and ponder over them. You will be building a positive lifestyle in the process.

2. Gratitude Visit

How about expressing gratitude towards other people? It is one way of building a culture of being grateful. If someone has had a significant impact in your life, appreciate them by paying a visit.

Express your gratitude verbally. For instance, you may sing, recite a poem, or even make a speech. If you write a letter, read it out loudly. When you see other people happy or as you listen to your words, you will also be happy. For a student, being appreciated in front of the class works wonders.

3.Best Possible Self

Teach the student to think about his or her best possible self. It involves drawing your goals and seeing them come true in your eyes. The exercise has been proven to increase positive mood. It also generates happiness that lasts for weeks after the exercise. For a student, this becomes the beginning of seeing possibilities in academic life and beyond.

4.Mindful Meditation

Teach the students to be mindful of their thoughts, actions and omissions. What impact does waking up early have on your life? What thoughts occupy your mind most of the day? Meditate for a few minutes about your actions and thoughts. It will result in a more deliberate life. You will want the best for yourself and others. In the pursuit of that good, you end up with happier and better performing students.

Positive psychology has a huge impact on the mental status of students. It results in better academic performance and an improved self-esteem. The students will be more energetic and perform better in their work.

Adrian Lomezzo is a freelance writer who writes about education and helping students and adults improve their skills