American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Issue: September 2009

Positive Psychology and Quality Physical Education
Jeffrey Cherubini

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to discuss concepts of positive psychology related to quality physical education. Positive psychology and the scientific study of happiness refer to three paths or pursuits: the pleasant life (positive emotion), the engaged life (engagement), and the meaningful life (meaning). When individuals are aware of, pursue, and blend all three lives, authentic happiness or the full life is more likely to be achieved. Moreover, inherent to positive psychology is the assumption that schools are integral in the promotion of positive human development. Given the need to create and sustain meaningful experiences for all students, the pursuit of positive psychology appears to be a natural match with quality physical education. Authentic happiness in physical education is possible when both teachers and students practice and experience a pleasant, engaged, and meaningful life.

Article category: Teaching