Which approach emphasizes building on strengths to improve individuals and communities?

Which approach emphasizes building on strengths to improve individuals and communities?

• A. Psychoanalysis
• B. Behaviorism
• C. Humanistic Psychology
• D. Positive psychology

Answer: (D)

This item tests a strengths-based approach to well-being, one that centers on building on what people do well to improve both individuals and communities. Positive psychology looks at human flourishing, focusing on positive traits, emotions, and social environments that support growth. It promotes identifying what people are good at and applying those strengths to increase happiness, resilience, relationships, meaning, and achievement. That emphasis on leveraging strengths through evidence-based interventions—such as fostering gratitude, optimism, and social connectedness—sets it apart as the approach described. Psychoanalysis centers on unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences rather than a strengths-focused path to well-being. Behaviorism emphasizes observable actions and learned responses, often without addressing innate strengths or broader life flourishing. Humanistic psychology values personal growth and self-actualization, which aligns with growth-oriented thinking, but positive psychology explicitly targets strengths and positive functioning in both individuals and communities, often with systematic methods and measurements.

This item tests a strengths-based approach to well-being, one that centers on building on what people do well to improve both individuals and communities. Positive psychology looks at human flourishing, focusing on positive traits, emotions, and social environments that support growth. It promotes identifying what people are good at and applying those strengths to increase happiness, resilience, relationships, meaning, and achievement. That emphasis on leveraging strengths through evidence-based interventions—such as fostering gratitude, optimism, and social connectedness—sets it apart as the approach described.

Psychoanalysis centers on unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences rather than a strengths-focused path to well-being. Behaviorism emphasizes observable actions and learned responses, often without addressing innate strengths or broader life flourishing. Humanistic psychology values personal growth and self-actualization, which aligns with growth-oriented thinking, but positive psychology explicitly targets strengths and positive functioning in both individuals and communities, often with systematic methods and measurements.