October 4th, 2006
Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness
Tal BenShahar, Professor of psychology, Harvard

Tal BenShahar discusses current research on the science of happiness and introduces ideas and tools that can actually make a difference in one's life.

The study of happiness or of enhancing the quality of our lives, has been dominated by poppsychology (much charisma, but relatively little substance) and academia (much substance, but isolated from most people's everyday lives). Positive Psychology, the scientific study of optimal human functioning, creates a bridge between the Ivory Tower and Main Street, making rigorous academic ideas accessible to all. Tal BenShahar, instructor of the most popular course at Harvard University, discusses the findings of current research on the science of happiness and introduces ideas and tools that can actually make a difference in one's life.

PBS | NPR Forum Network program with the Museum of Science, Boston