Positive Psychology The Science of Well-Being

Description

Positive Psychology brings together a range of research and a comprehensive review of the more recent work and lessons learned since the founder’s original vision of this field. Organised into five sections: An Introduction, Positive Experiences, Personality Processes, External Influences, and Applications, this text provides a thorough introduction to an interesting and challenging area in Psychology. With a final look at the future of Positive Psychology, and its potential to inform social change and how useful this knowledge can be when considering the well-being of entire societies, this text is an enlightening read and invaluable resources for students. Strongly guided by empirical work this text encourages the reader to think critically and go beyond the facts. Key features Provides a framework for teaching and understanding global trends in Positive Psychology. Inclusion and a review of up-to-date research. Using storytelling and happiness’s intrinsic appeal to foster interest in the methods we use to answer important questions in Positive Psychology. Online resources including student self-tests, an instructor test bank, instructor slides and links to additional web content. Contents About the Author Acknowledgements How to Use This Book Part I Introduction 1 Describing the Science of Positive Psychology Introduction Defining Positive Psychology Ways of Understanding ‘Positive’ Assessing Positivity Positive Psychology in Context Methodological Approaches Summing Up References Part II Happiness and Positive States 2 Positive Emotions Introduction Defining Emotions and Other Affective States Broaden and Build Model of Positive Emotions Summing Up References 3 Happiness Introduction What Is Happiness? Who Is Happy, and Where Does Happiness Come From? Happiness Around the World A Few Lingering Questions Summing Up References Part III Personality Processes 4 Personality Introduction Personality: The Big Picture Personality at the Middle Level: Describing the Differences Positive Psychology’s Personality Unit: Character Strengths Summing Up References 5 The Self Introduction Defining the Self The True Self and Authenticity Self-Views: -Efficacy, -Esteem, and -Compassion Cultural Cautions about the Self-Concept Summing Up References 6 Thinking Introduction Creativity Wisdom Intelligence Predicting the Future: Affective Forecasting Summing Up References Part IV Social, Psychological, and Physical Environments 7 Social and Physical Environments Introduction Social Environments: Human Nature and Cooperation Physical Environments: Natural and Built Summing Up References 8 Close Relationships Introduction What Is Love? How Do People Create Satisfying Relationships? Distinguishing Positive Processes in Relationships Summing Up References Part V Towards Increasing Positivity 9 Stability and Change Introduction Resilience Post-Traumatic Growth Intentional Positive Change and Interventions Summing Up References 10 Looking Forward Introduction Goals: Looking Ahead to Your Positive Future Positive Psychology: Taking Stock and Looking Forward Summing Up References Glossary Index