傳統心理學注重於研究人們心理和精神情緒偏離健康的一麵，諸如壓抑，惱怒、自閉以及情緒失控等症狀。而積極心理學則換了個角度著重於研究健康的心理是如何產生和運作的。Ben-Shahar認為消除負麵的病症隻是以歸零為目的，並不能自動帶給人們正麵的幸福感，而後者恰恰是我們人生意義的根本所在。
該課程強調將積極心理學的原理運用到學生自己的日常生活中去，怎樣使自己更幸福（不幸福的變得幸福，幸福的變得更幸福），新聞媒體將此課程稱之為哈佛大學的《幸福課》（”Harvard Happy Class”）。下麵是關於介紹該課的一個視頻。
全套課程則有二十三集，下麵LINK裏的網易視頻含有中英文的字幕。
http://v.163.com/special/positivepsychology/
沒有時間上完全課的則可以參加他如下的一個講座。
http://forum-network.org/lecture/positive-psychology-science-happiness
關於Tal
Ben-Shahar博士課程的英文簡介：
The course, called PSY 1504 – Positive Psychology, was
described as follows:
“The course focuses on the psychological aspects of a fulfilling and flourishing life.Topics include happiness, self-esteem, empathy, friendship, love, achievement, creativity, music, spirituality, and humor.”
“Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the journey on our way toward a destination we deem valuable. Happiness, therefore, is not about making it to the peak of the mountain, nor is it about climbing aimlessly around the mountain: happiness is the experience of climbing toward the peak” – Tal Ben-Shahar
In 2006, he taught a course at Harvard entitled "Positive Psychology." 855 students enrolled in the class, making it the most popular class of the spring semester.
Tal Ben-Shahar博士發表的幾本相關的書：
The Pursuit of Perfect: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Start
Living a Richer, Happier Life (2009)
Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment (2007)
The Question of Happiness: On Finding Meaning, Pleasure, and the Ultimate Currency (2002)
A Clash of Values: The Struggle for Universal Freedom (2002)
Heaven Can Wait: Conversations With Bonny Hicks (1998)
Ben-Shahar appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on
August 9, 2007.
Tal Ben-Shahar 博士有關幸福的六點建議：
1. Give yourself permission to be human. When we accept
emotions — such as fear, sadness, or anxiety — as natural, we are more likely
to overcome them. Rejecting our emotions, positive or negative, leads to
frustration and unhappiness.
2. Happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure and meaning. Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable. When this is not feasible, make sure you have happiness boosters, moments throughout the week that provide you with both pleasure and meaning.
3. Keep in mind that happiness is mostly dependent on our state of mind, not on our status or the state of our bank account. Barring extreme circumstances, our level of well being is determined by what we choose to focus on (the full or the empty part of the glass) and by our interpretation of external events. For example, do we view failure as catastrophic, or do we see it as a learning opportunity?
4. Simplify! We are, generally, too busy, trying to squeeze in more and more activities into less and less time. Quantity influences quality, and we compromise on our happiness by trying to do too much.
5. Remember the mind-body connection. What we do — or don't do — with our bodies influences our mind. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits lead to both physical and mental health.
6. Express gratitude, whenever possible. We too often take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate and savor the wonderful things in life, from people to food, from nature to a smile.
