“Neuroscience-Based Positive Psychology” Discussed at Üsküdar University!
The 7th International Positive Psychology Congress, organized by Üsküdar University, is being held on April 18–19, 2025 with the theme “Neuroscience-Based Positive Psychology.”
President of Üsküdar University and President of the Congress Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that “While Positive Psychology provides scientific methods to enhance happiness in social life, it also leads us to rediscover many timeless values that we have abandoned in the past. These values are already present in our deep-rooted cultural heritage known as Anatolian wisdom.”
Emphasizing that classical positive psychology has evolved over time and entered a new phase, Tarhan underlined the emergence of Positive Psychology 2.0.
Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör reminded that positive psychology has been taught at the university for many years and stated that “At the same time, it is a concept that has gained a significant place in our university's educational philosophy and academic perspective. However, we approach this concept not merely as superficial optimism, but through a questioning and critical lens.”
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, also noted that “The current conditions we are living in point to an entirely new order of civilization.”
The 7th International Positive Psychology Congress, held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall on Üsküdar University’s Main Campus, brings together leading international experts conducting work in the field of positive psychology. The congress is organized with the support of Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital, NP Etiler and NP Feneryolu Medical Centers, the Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Association, and the Institute of Positive Psychology.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “We launched the Positive Psychology course in 2013”
Delivering the opening speech of the hybrid-format congress, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan gave a talk titled “Second Wave Positive Psychology”. He noted that the Positive Psychology course was first introduced at Üsküdar University in 2013 as a rectorate-led course and said that “We added this course to our curriculum in 2013. Harvard University included the course in 2015, and Yale University followed in 2018. Later, especially during the COVID-19 period, Yale opened the course to the public, and in 2021, this development was featured in The New York Times. In a short time, 3.5 million people enrolled in the Positive Psychology course. This clearly shows the societal demand and potential social impact of this field. Similarly, the University of Bristol in the UK added Positive Psychology to its curriculum in 2019 to help prevent the rising suicide rates among young people.”
Noting that the theme of “Neuroscience-Based Positive Psychology” was chosen for this year’s Positive Psychology Congress, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that “There is now a growing body of evidence in this field. We can scientifically observe how the brain functions more healthily through positive psychology practices, and how brain structures and processes related to happiness operate. This is now a fully evidence-based psychological approach.”
“The Default Mode Network is activated during clinical hypnosis”
Highlighting that the most important network in positive psychology is the Default Mode Network (DMN), Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that “The Default Mode Network is a brain network associated with meaning-making and helping a person define their place in life.”
Tarhan explained that the Default Mode Network is active during mental wandering, such as daydreaming or searching for meaning and expressed that “Clinical hypnosis, mental awareness, the search for meaning, and the process of finding one’s place in life are all related to this network. While mindfulness and meditation help individuals accept their problems, clinical hypnosis offers them the opportunity to take action. In other words, during clinical hypnosis, the Default Mode Network is activated. At that moment, the individual entrusts conscious decision-making to the therapist. This network is engaged during the therapy process to guide the person.”
“The second wave of positive psychology, or Positive Psychology 2.0, has emerged”
Prof. Tarhan stated that classical positive psychology has evolved over time and reached a new phase and made the following remarks:
“With this development, the second wave of positive psycholog, that is, Positive Psychology 2.0, has emerged. What did classical positive psychology advocate? That we should focus on positive emotions. It emphasized cultivating joy, hope, gratitude, and other positive feelings. While traditional psychology aims to bring an individual from negative to neutral, positive psychology seeks to move from neutral to flourishing. However, this approach should not be mistaken for blind optimism or naïve positivity. Over time, it has gained depth and a second dimension: Positive Psychology 2.0.
While classical positive psychology primarily asked, ‘How can we be happy?’, Positive Psychology 2.0 asks, ‘How can we live a meaningful and resilient life?’
The classical approach tends to avoid difficulties and negativity. However, Positive Psychology 2.0 says: ‘Darkness, trauma, and pain are part of growt, and even a source of it.’ This perspective brings an entirely new dimension to positive psychology.”
“Positive psychology also reintroduces many timeless values we have abandoned”
Referring to the “Post-Traumatic Growth Hypothesis”, Tarhan said that “According to this view, when we experience trauma, rather than trying to resolve it by returning to the past, it is possible to turn it into an opportunity for growth by asking, ‘What did this trauma teach me?’” Tarhan continued his remarks as follows: “Positive psychology should be understood within the framework of managing our psychological resources. We cannot treat a person or make them truly happy by ignoring or denying the pain of life. Pain will exist; what matters is accepting and managing it.
At this point, positive psychology adopts the principle not of dismissing pain, but of teaching how to cope with it.
While offering scientific methods to enhance happiness in social life, positive psychology also helps us rediscover many timeless values that we have long neglected. These values already exist in our rich cultural heritage, which we refer to as Anatolian wisdom. Indeed, it is known that the pioneers of positive psychology, though they may not explicitly cite them, were significantly inspired by thinkers such as Mevlana.”
Prof. Nazife Güngör: “We aim to raise awareness among our students and within academic circles”
In her opening speech at the congress, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör noted that positive psychology has been taught at the university for many years and said that “At the same time, it has gained a significant place in our university’s educational approach and academic perspective. However, we do not interpret this concept as mere surface-level optimism. Instead, we associate it with a questioning and critical outlook. With this approach, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to academic life and add value to human experience. We want to question our own existence as human beings and raise awareness among our students and the academic community. The world is already moving in a certain direction, but we want to ensure it doesn’t move forward despite us. We want to be part of this process, to contribute to it, and to help guide the world with meaningful action. Because each of us is a part of this world, and together we shape it. Therefore, we must not allow a small minority to make decisions on behalf of the world without us. Let us be the ones who question, who are aware, who think.”
Prof. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan: “We are speaking of a new world order where rights and justice are barely recognized”
Prof. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar University, also gave a speech highlighting the relationship between positive psychology and global Dynamics and made the following remarks:
“The conditions we are currently experiencing point to an entirely new form of civilization. In this era of Industry 4.0, we are going through a period in which everything feels turned upside down, and we feel powerless as individuals in the face of the world, even to the point of losing our sense of individuality. Because being an individual entails not only responsibilities and expectations but also rights and justice. However, we are now speaking of a new world order where these rights and justice are barely acknowledged. In this new era, we are facing a reality where both central political authorities and a digital dictatorship referred to as the ‘techno-oligarchy’ are infiltrating every aspect of our lives. So, what are we supposed to do in such an environment? These types of positive psychology congresses are shaped not only as personal initiatives, but also as collective efforts to enhance well-being on a broader societal level. In other words, while we aim to heal ourselves, we must also strive to improve the society, the environment, and the civilization we live in.”
Dr. Fatma Turan: “I wish you a congress that contributes to psychological well-being”
Congress Secretary and Faculty Member of the Psychology Department, Dr. Fatma Turan, provided information about the congress and expressed that “I wish you all a congress that contributes to psychological well-being.
Conference by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Fredrike Bannink
As part of the congress, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Fredrike Bannink from the Netherlands, author of the book “201 Positive Psychology Interventions – Enhancing Well-Being in Individuals and Communities”, delivered a presentation titled “Positive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The Next Frontier in Enhancing Well-Being” and introduced her newly released book.
The congress will last two days
Among the speakers at the congress were: Prof. Tuğba Sarı from Akdeniz University with the presentation: “Self-Help Practices Through Positive Psychotherapy: Turning Challenges into Opportunities for Growth” Assoc. Prof. Asil Özdoğru from Marmara University with: “The Affective Effects of Smiling Facial Expressions”
At the congress, Clinical Psychologist Ahmet Yılmaz gave a presentation on "Trauma and Positive Psychotherapy", Clinical Psychologist Hazal Aslan gave a presentation on "Use of Creative Techniques in Adolescent Psychology", Asst. Prof. Mehmet Kaan Ildız gave a presentation on "Therapeutic Use of Three-Dimensional Prints and Artistic Materials", Clinical Psychologist Merve Umay Candaş Demir and Clinical Psychologist Sera Elbaşoğlu gave a presentation on "Trauma and Positive Psychotherapy", Clinical Psychologist Özgenur Taşkın and Clinical Psychologist Cumali Aydın gave a presentation on "Neuroscience of Trauma and Healing with Positive Psychotherapy", Psychological Counselor Sevda Kısrık gave a presentation on "First Contact with the Parent: Interview Strategies and Interaction Techniques with the Child", Psychology Specialist / Family Counselor Şeyda Betül Kılıç gave a presentation on "Grief, Bonds and Psychological Flexibility: A Perspective of Ongoing Ties Theory", Asst. Prof.Tuğba Turgut and Res. Asst. Sümeyye Eliz Burhan held workshops titled "Human and Machine Emotional Interaction: How Does Artificial Intimacy Affect Relationships?".
On Saturday, April 19, the second day of the congress, Asst. Prof. Fatma Turan will give a conference on "The Importance of Cognitive Flexibility in Positive Psychology" and Prof. Sinan Akbaba will give a conference on "The Place of Critical Thinking in Psychotherapy Approaches". There will also be a panel titled "Positive Psychology". In the panel, Asst. Prof. Kerem Çetinkaya, Çetinkaya will give a speech titled "Journey with Positive Selves", Dr. Eren Murat Dinçer will give a speech titled "Beyond Problem Stories", and Clinical Psychologist Ahmet Kara will give a speech titled "Post-Traumatic Development".
At the congress, Prof. Oğuz Tanrıdağ gave a lecture titled "Neuroscientific Foundations of Positive Psychology: Is There Enough Evidence?", Prof. Sultan Tarlacı "The Murmur of Vagus: The Key to Well-Being is in Your Ear", Asst. Prof. Abdurrahman Kendirci will hold a conference titled "Use of Metaphors in Positive Psychology " and Prof. Gül Eryılmaz will hold a conference titled "Relationship Science".
Opening concert received with great enthusiasm…
A live performance by Instructor & Artist Marius Mustafa Arabacı and Pianist Mehrshad Hashemi was met with great interest by the congress participants.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)