3 yrs later, positive psych wins over Cos

The high-strung world of the corporate ladder has been screaming for positive counseling. Responding to this demand, psychology departments in Pune colleges have brought in positive psychology as an optional in the second year syllabus.
 
In fact, given the lucrative job potential the subject holds, positive psychology is almost displacing developmental psychology, which has more serious clinical application.

“Positive psychology was introduced in the syllabus three years ago, as an optional to developmental psychology. Since then more and more students are opting for it over developmental psychology,” Dr Shobhana Abhyankar, head of the department (HOD), psychology, at Fergusson College.

At S P College last year, 28 out of a class of 30 opted for positive psychology. “It steers away from the general perception of delving into negative aspects of human behavior,” Arvind Kakulte, HOD, at the college. Colleges are also using the study to aid mental health of students.

“Studying positive psychology also helps students to enhance their own personality, which will help them in the competitive world,” Abhyankar explained. Only the studentss choice is also driven by the job opportunities. “The rising mental stress level both on professional as well as personal fronts do not garner well for productivity levels at work-place.

So companies are investing in workshops using counselors (with positive psychology background) to deal with the problem,” said Poorva Dixit, a professional clinical psychologist in the city. Students too appreciate the opportunity this scenario offers.

“Not only is positive psychology more interesting, but it is also has good prospects,” noted Rutuja Salvi, from Fergusson College. Anupal Banerjee, Principal HR at Capgemini, accepted, “We do have different motivational and positive talks arranged for employees to improve productivity.”

HR managers are of the opinion that calling a trained professional gives it a human touch and makes the discussion more real. A surge towards positive psychology, could be a loss to more serious clinical psychology.

“For the clinical side of psychology, it is imperative to study developmental psychology,” Dixit admits. “For example, if there is a serious childhood roote disorder positive psychology cannot address it,” she explained.
 
“I want to pursue clinical psychology going forward and chose developmental psychology, which is a focused area dealing with human behavioural disorders, unlike positive psychology which deals with general human behavior,” reiterated Rujuta Mahajan from S P College.

It steers away from the perception of delving into negative aspects of human behavior

-  Arvind Kakulte HOD, S P College

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