ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the background of positive psychology studies and the main concepts used. The importance of experiencing positive emotions can be reasoned in a variety of ways. Positive feelings and experiences support problem-solving skills and the ability to operate in an innovative way. Optimism is shown to be connected to higher life satisfaction, health, perseverance, and resilience, whereas pessimism has connection to depression. Motivation is a crucial element of success. It is a critical factor in any theory attempting to predict, and explain behaviour and performance. Performance is often confused with its neighbouring concepts such as competence, behaviour or action. Performance is a momentary happening and can vary according to many factors, even if competence is high in relation to the task at hand.
