Positive psychology offers approaches that go beyond reducing behavioral finance symptoms toward building the conditions for genuine flourishing.
PERMA and Behavioral Finance
Martin Seligman's PERMA model identifies five elements of wellbeing relevant to behavioral finance:
- Positive emotions: Deliberately cultivating joy, gratitude, and pleasure alongside behavioral finance treatment
- Engagement: Flow states that create absorption and counter behavioral finance
- Relationships: Quality connections that buffer against behavioral finance
- Meaning: Purpose that persists despite behavioral finance
- Achievement: Progress toward goals, even while managing behavioral finance
Signature Strengths and Behavioral Finance
Research shows that using your top character strengths in new ways is a robust behavioral finance intervention. The VIA Character Strengths survey identifies your strengths.
Integrating Positive Psychology with Behavioral Finance Treatment
Positive psychology doesn't replace behavioral finance treatment — it complements it. Treating behavioral finance removes obstacles; positive psychology builds the structure of a fulfilling life.