Positive Computing integrates findings and methods from the fields of positive psychology, positive design, and positive technology sciences (such as engineering and computer science). It is a system design paradigm that explores and considers the impact of technologies on people in terms of basic psychological needs such as autonomy, belonging and meaning, and thus motivation and well-being.

Motivation and well-being are not pursued by just avoiding, e.g. stressors and frustration experiences, but are actively achieved by an appropriate design of software, hardware and their integration into the user's particular environment.