Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access

Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organization, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands

Biography

Ad Bergsma is currently working as a Consultant in the Department of Psychology. His research interests include Sport Psychology. He has authored of many research articles/books related to Psychology.

Publications

• Review Article   
  Diminishing Effectiveness of Happiness Interventions: Positive Psychology Stumbles on the Dodo Verdict
  Author(s): Ad Bergsma*
  
  Some positive psychologists claim that quantitative research leads to the most effective interventions for the intentional pursuit of happiness. A similar claim made in psychotherapy research resulted in failure; fifty years of experimental research has not improved psychotherapy outcomes. In this essay it is argued that the explosion in happiness studies of the last twenty years did has not improved effect sizes of happiness interventions. The supposed epistemological superiority of positive psychologists has not produced more effective happiness advice. This should not be taken as an encouragement to throw the baby out with the bathwater. If we follow current reasoning in psychotherapy research, we can conclude that positive psychological research can correct misguided or counterproductive happiness advice, but will not offer definitive answers. The individuals making his their own .. View More»
  

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