Barack Obama’s Inaugaration and Positive Psychology Can Improve Society
In a few days time Barack Obama will be inaugarated as the next president of the United States of America.
Some people view the present mood of the USA as one of doom and gloom. The credit card bills from Christmas spending are due to arrive, the weather gets cold and already many people have broken their New Year’s resolutions.
Barack Obama’s inaugaration theme is ‘A New Birth of Freedom’. Senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies says that this theme reflects the Gettysburg Address of President Lincoln. She says:
“At a time when our country faces major challenges at home and abroad, it is appropriate to revisit the words of President Lincoln, who strived to bring the nation together by appealing to ‘the better angels of our nature’. It is especially fitting to celebrate the words of Lincoln as we prepare to inaugurate the first African-American president of the United States.”
Positive Psychology states that being around happy people is infectious. If you are happy then you cause other people to be happy. Let’s hope that the Inaugral Ceremony is such a happy occasion that it can offset the negativity concerning the economic situation.
Obama wants to improve society. What can Positive Psychology bring to this issue?
On January 24 there will be a symposium as Claremont Graduate University entitled: Applying the Science of Positive Psychology to Improve Society. The symposium is described as:
“A gathering of major researchers in the field of positive psychology, to discuss how the science of positive psychology can be applied for the improvement of society.”
Maybe Barack Obama should attend – if he is not too busy!
