Research & Evidence

The Science of Human Flourishing

FlourishTalk isn't just a collection of questions—it's a carefully crafted tool built on over 20 years of academic research, practical application, and evidence-based frameworks from positive psychology, student success science, and human development research.

Every question in FlourishTalk has been designed based on established research showing what helps people thrive, succeed, and build meaningful connections. Our work synthesizes findings from thousands of studies across multiple disciplines to create conversations that truly matter.

🎓 Academic Foundation: Stellenbosch University

FlourishTalk emerged from the FlourishWell4Life research initiative at Stellenbosch University's Centre for Business Intelligence in South Africa, led by Dr. Alten du Plessis. Since 2003, this research program has explored positive psychological predictors of academic achievement, wellness, and human flourishing.

The program has developed evidence-based interventions used with thousands of students, including award-winning programs like the HERO's Mindset workshop series, which has been presented at international conferences and recognized for innovation in student success.

Core Research Frameworks

FlourishTalk integrates multiple evidence-based frameworks from positive psychology and human development research:

📊 Positive Psychology Predictors

24 research-validated factors that predict academic and life success, including grit, hope, emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and character strengths.

🌟 PERMA Model of Wellbeing

Martin Seligman's framework focusing on Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment as foundations of flourishing.

💪 Character Strengths (VIA)

The 24 character strengths from the VIA Institute—wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence—as pathways to authentic living.

🎯 EPOCH Wellbeing Framework

A youth-focused model examining Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, and Happiness as predictors of positive development.

🧠 Successful Intelligence Theory

Robert Sternberg's framework integrating analytical, creative, and practical intelligence for real-world success and adaptation.

💚 Hettler's Six Dimensions of Wellness

A holistic wellness model encompassing physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, and occupational wellbeing.

🌱 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Competencies in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

🎨 Lyubomirsky's Happiness Activities

Evidence-based strategies for increasing sustainable wellbeing through intentional activities like gratitude, kindness, and savoring.

Evidence-Based Predictors of Success

Our Academic Success category draws on research identifying 24 positive psychological factors that predict achievement and flourishing in educational contexts. These aren't just theories—they're evidence-based predictors validated across multiple studies:

Cognitive & Learning Factors

Learning Strategies Metacognition, time management, study habits

Curiosity & Love of Learning Intrinsic interest and intellectual exploration

Critical Thinking Analytical skills and independent judgment

Working Memory & Focus Attention management and concentration

Motivational & Goal Factors

Self-Efficacy Belief in one's ability to succeed

Intrinsic Motivation Internal drive for learning and growth

Growth Mindset Belief that abilities can be developed

Grit & Perseverance Sustained effort toward long-term goals

Hope & Optimism Positive expectations for the future

Self-Regulation & Character

Self-Control Impulse regulation and delayed gratification

Self-Discipline Consistent effort and follow-through

Conscientiousness Organization and responsibility

Mental Toughness Resilience and psychological strength

Emotional & Social Factors

Emotional Intelligence Self-awareness and emotion regulation

Social-Emotional Learning Relationship skills and social awareness

Stress Management Healthy coping strategies

Academic Identity Sense of belonging and connection

Wellbeing & Balance

Physical Wellbeing Exercise, sleep, and nutrition

Positivity & Gratitude Appreciative mindset and positive emotions

Equanimity & Balance Inner peace and life balance

Character Strengths Leveraging personal virtues

From Research to Practice

What makes FlourishTalk unique is how we translate academic research into practical, meaningful conversations. Here's our process:

1. Research Synthesis

We review peer-reviewed studies identifying factors that predict human flourishing, success, and wellbeing across different life domains.

2. Framework Development

We organize research findings into coherent frameworks that capture the essential elements of each construct (like grit, hope, or emotional intelligence).

3. Question Design

We craft open-ended, thought-provoking questions that help people explore these research-based factors in their own lives. Each question is designed to spark reflection, self-discovery, and meaningful dialogue.

4. Practical Application

We test questions in real-world settings—with students, couples, professionals, and communities—refining them based on feedback and observed impact.

5. Continuous Improvement

As new research emerges, we update our question sets to reflect the latest evidence on what helps people thrive.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

FlourishTalk builds on foundational work by leading researchers and practitioners in positive psychology and human connection:

Inspired by {THE AND} Project & Topaz Adizes

We are deeply inspired by the groundbreaking work of Topaz Adizes and The Skin Deep's {THE AND} project—an Emmy Award-winning interactive documentary that has facilitated over 1,200 intimate conversations across 10 countries, reaching more than 150 million people worldwide.

Topaz's work demonstrates the transformative power of well-crafted questions to deepen human connection. His book "12 Questions for Love" distills a decade of observations into practical wisdom about creating meaningful dialogue. His emphasis on connective questions (those that create shared understanding rather than elicit monologues), avoiding binary framing, and embracing vulnerability has profoundly influenced our approach.

Like {THE AND}, FlourishTalk believes that asking the right questions can catalyze personal growth, strengthen relationships, and help us see ourselves and others in new ways. We honor this pioneering work while extending it across diverse life domains—from academic success to character development to workplace flourishing.

"We should stop looking for answers and create better questions. What exists between us are powerful ingredients for transformation and development if we mine it properly." — Topaz Adizes, Emmy Award-Winning Director & Founder of The Skin Deep

FlourishTalk also draws on the work of:

Martin Seligman (PERMA model of wellbeing)
Angela Duckworth (grit and perseverance research)
Carol Dweck (growth mindset theory)
Robert Sternberg (successful intelligence)
Sonja Lyubomirsky (happiness activities and interventions)
Christopher Peterson & Martin Seligman (VIA character strengths)
Richard Ryan & Edward Deci (self-determination theory)
Daniel Goleman (emotional intelligence)
C.R. Snyder (hope theory)

Research Publications & Recognition

The FlourishWell4Life research program has contributed to the field through:

Conference presentations at international student success and positive psychology conferences
Award-winning student development programs at Stellenbosch University
Development of evidence-based assessment tools measuring positive psychological factors
Practical interventions including the HERO's Mindset workshops, Optimize Playshops, and FlourishWell programs
Comprehensive documentation of research findings linking 24 positive psychological predictors to academic achievement

For detailed research findings and references, visit the FlourishWell4Life website at flourishwell4life.com

Why Evidence Matters

In a world flooded with self-help advice and quick fixes, FlourishTalk stands apart by being grounded in rigorous research. When you use FlourishTalk questions, you're not just having random conversations—you're engaging with factors that decades of research show actually matter for human flourishing.

Evidence-based approaches mean:

Credibility: Our questions address real factors that impact wellbeing and success
Effectiveness: The constructs we explore have been shown to make a difference
Depth: Our questions go beyond surface-level chat to explore what truly matters
Adaptability: Research helps us continually refine and improve our approach
Trust: Users can feel confident they're engaging with legitimate, helpful tools