PERMA Model
Martin Seligman's framework for well-being based on five pillars: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
Also known as: PERMA, PERMA Theory, PERMA Framework, Seligman's PERMA
Category: Frameworks
Tags: positive-psychology, well-being, frameworks, happiness, flourishing, psychology
Explanation
The PERMA model is a well-being framework developed by Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology. It identifies five core elements that contribute to human flourishing and provides a comprehensive approach to understanding what makes life worth living.
The five pillars of PERMA are:
**Positive Emotions (P)**: Experiencing feelings like joy, gratitude, hope, and contentment. While happiness matters, this pillar encompasses the full range of positive emotional experiences that contribute to well-being.
**Engagement (E)**: Being fully absorbed in activities that challenge and interest you. This relates to the concept of flow - those moments when you're so immersed in what you're doing that time seems to stop.
**Relationships (R)**: Having meaningful connections with others. Humans are inherently social beings, and positive relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and community are essential for well-being.
**Meaning (M)**: Having a sense of purpose and belonging to something larger than yourself. This could come from religion, family, community, causes, or work that feels meaningful.
**Accomplishment (A)**: Pursuing achievement and mastery for their own sake. The drive to accomplish goals and develop competence contributes to well-being independent of any external rewards.
What makes PERMA powerful is that these elements are both ends in themselves and measurable. Unlike earlier definitions of well-being that focused solely on life satisfaction, PERMA provides a multidimensional view that captures different aspects of what it means to thrive. Each element can be pursued independently, and together they provide a framework for building a flourishing life.
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