Designing Positive Psychology

Positive psychology exploded into public consciousness 10 years ago and has continued to capture attention around the world ever since. This book evaluates the first decade of this fledgling field of study from the perspective of nearly every leading researcher in the field.

This volume presents innovative and contemporary methodologies and intervention protocols for the enhancement of positive psychological attributes in multicultural professional and organizational contexts. Most methods, models and approaches that underpin positive psychological interventions are confined to clinical samples, closed systems or monocultural contexts, which restrict their applicability to particular contexts. Extensive practical intervention protocols, designs and methods which usually accompany first draft intervention papers are condensed into brief paragraphs in final manuscripts or removed in their entirety. This, in turn, reduces their potential for replicability or adoption by consumers, practitioners, or industry. This volume develops guidelines for enhancing positive psychological attributes, such as positive moods (e.g. positive affect; life satisfaction), strengths (e.g. gratitude; humour), cognitions (e.g. hope; optimism) and behaviours (e.g. emotional regulation; positive relationship building) within various multicultural contexts. Thereby, it shows how positive psychology interventions can be replicated to a wide-range of contexts beyond those in which they were developed.

The Positive Psychology: A Workbook for Personal Growth and Well-Being is a companion workbook designed to accompany Compton and Hoffman’s Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Flourishing, 4e. The workbook aligns active learning and critical thinking applications with the twelve core chapters of Compton and Hoffman’s textbook, but could easily be a benefit to other Positive Psychology texts or support courses and texts where a workbook centered on growth, well-being, and mindfulness is desired.

The field of positive psychology has blossomed over the past fifteen years due to its uplifting perspective as well as research findings demonstrating the effectiveness of its practical applications for enhancing individual and organizational well-being. The concepts within positive psychology including focusing on personal strengths, positive emotions, well-being, and factors related to success and thriving can connect with an inner sense of hope and motivation for growth and constructive change. There is a congruency between these concepts of positive psychology and the focus on development, acquiring knowledge and skills, and nurturing of talent and potential that defines higher education. Indeed, positive psychology offers a refreshing and valuable framework for the programs and activities found in academic and student affairs departments. Positive Psychology on the College Campus provides innovative and practical strategies that can be employed with students to enhance both their personal development and educational experiences. Individual chapters, all written by experts in their fields, describe research and offer approaches for readers to use with students. With its wide-ranging topics and distinguished contributors, Positive Psychology on the College Campus is a must-have resource for all those who work with college students, including academic advisors, administrators, counselors, faculty, residence-life staff, and student-activities staff. In fact, no matter where your office may be located on the campus map, positive psychology can be applied to your work.

Positive Psychology will help you to look on the bright side and to find your place in the world around you. With expert encouragement and guidance, you will set out your own positive psychology project to discover your strengths, overcome negative attitudes, focus on what gives you purpose, and take control of your life choices. From savouring positive emotions to building better relationships and developing resilience, you will gain the tools to boost your mental and physical well-being and to find fulfilment in everyday life. This is the perfect concise start to making your life better.

The best minds in positive psychology survey the state of the field Positive Psychology in Practice, Second Edition moves beyond the theoretical to show how positive psychology is being used in real-world settings, and the new directions emerging in the field. An international team of contributors representing the best and brightest in the discipline review the latest research, discuss how the findings are being used in practice, explore new ideas for application, and discuss focus points for future research. This updated edition contains new chapters that explore the intersection between positive psychology and humanistic psychology, salugenesis, hedonism, and eudaimonism, and more, with deep discussion of how the field is integrating with the new areas of self-help, life coaching, social work, rehabilitation psychology, and recovery-oriented service systems. This book explores the challenges and opportunities in the field, providing readers with the latest research and consensus on practical application. Get up to date on the latest research and practice findings Integrate positive psychology into assessments, life coaching, and other therapies Learn how positive psychology is being used in schools Explore possible directions for new research to push the field forward Positive psychology is being used in areas as diverse as clinical, counseling, forensic, health, educational, and industrial/organizational settings, in a wide variety of interventions and applications. Psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to promote human flourishing and well-being will find the second edition of Positive Psychology in Practice to be an informative, comprehensive guide.

POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERVENTIONS DISCOVER THE LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY Positive Organizational Psychology Interventions: Design and Evaluation delivers a concise description and synthesis of positive organizational psychology theory, empirical research, and evidence-based applications. Based on a thorough review of the peer-reviewed literature by the accomplished and distinguished editors, the book offers readers an encapsulation of the growth of the field and the latest state-of-the-art theory and research-driven interventions in this emerging area. You’ll discover the breadth and depth of the field of positive organizational psychology grounded in empirical research and evidence-based practice, thereby avoiding some of the frivolousness and optimism sometimes associated with the field. The book provides an honest and balanced view of positive organizational psychology by acknowledging the limitations of the research, relevant critiques, and the extent to which findings can be applied. Finally, the volume will serve as a useful tool to inspire ideas for further evidence-based research and intervention design, and for facilitating class exercises, discussions, projects, and more. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to positive organizational psychology and research methods commonly used in positive organizational psychology An exploration of positive psychological states, traits, and processes in the workplace, as well as strength and virtues at work Practical discussions of flow and work engagement, job crafting, strengths-focused performance reviews, positive organizational capacity building, positive cultural humility, a positive approach to sexual harassment prevention, and positive leadership development An analysis of positive organizational development and positive human resource practices, as well as workplace well-being, thriving, and flourishing Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students in psychology programs, Positive Organizational Psychology Interventions will also earn a place in the libraries of practitioners of positive psychology who seek a one-stop reference for the latest developments in positive organizational psychology scholarship.

The fully updated Third Edition of Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths covers the science and application of positive psychology and presents new frameworks for understanding positive emotions and strengths through a culturally competent lens. Authors Shane J. Lopez, Jennifer Teramoto Pedrotti, and C.R. Snyder bring positive psychology to life by addressing important issues such as how positive psychology can improve schooling and the workplace, as well as how it can promote flourishing in day-to-day life. Throughout the book, well-crafted exercises allow readers to apply major principles to their own lives. The book also explores various positive conditions within multiple cultural contexts, such as happiness and well-being, and processes related to mindfulness, wisdom, courage, and spirituality. “The emphasis is not exclusively clinical; it includes applications and implications across a number of environments and draws from a number of perspectives, including neurobiology. This range makes it an excellent choice for anchoring major concepts so students can explore the application of positive psychology to their specific areas of interest.” —Dr. Pamela Rutledge, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

Positive psychology is the scientific study of what goes right in life, from birth to death and at all stops in between. It is a newly-christened approach within psychology that takes seriously the examination of that which makes life most worth living. Everyone's life has peaks and valleys, and positive psychology does not deny the valleys. Its signature premise is more nuanced, but nonetheless important: what is good about life is as genuine as what is bad and, therefore, deserves equal attention from psychologists. Positive psychology as an explicit perspective has existed only since 1998, but enough relevant theory and research now exist to fill a textbook suitable for a semester-long college course. A Primer in Positive Psychology is thoroughly grounded in scientific research and covers major topics of concern to the field: positive experiences such as pleasure and flow; positive traits such as character strengths, values, and talents; and the social institutions that enable these subjects as well as what recent research might contribute to this knowledge. Every chapter contains exercises that illustrate positive psychology, a glossary, suggestions of articles and books for further reading, and lists of films, websites, and popular songs that embody chapter themes. A comprehensive overview of positive psychology by one of the acknowledged leaders in the field, this textbook provides students with a thorough introduction to an important area of psychology.

Does happiness matter? What are happy people like? Can people enhance their sense of well-being? One of the most important movements in psychology during the past two decades, positive psychology is a discipline that seeks to understand the factors that contribute the most to a well lived and fulfilling life. Written by a highly respected scholar and educator of positive psychology, this is a concise, accessible introduction to this popular field of study. Appropriate for anyone seeking an introduction to positive psychology and an ideal brief text for relevant college courses, this book surveys the origins and current state of what is known about this evolving field. It places a particular emphasis on well-being as the leading edge of positive psychology research and practice. The text encompasses the key theories and current research supporting positive psychology, and discusses its three ìpillarsî: subjective well-being and positive emotions, psychological traits, and positive institutions. It introduces the foundational concepts underlying positive psychology and describes the specific strengths and virtues upon which it focuses. Woven throughout is the premise that gratitude matters to oneís happiness. The heart of the book explores such major questions as: What is happiness? How do oneís circumstances impact happiness? What are the traits of well-being? Are relationships important to happiness? With a nod to the expanding parameters of human interactions today, the text examines the impact of electronic relationships on well-being. It also discusses and responds to the most significant criticisms of the positive psychology movement and helps readers to understand how the science of positive psychology can enhance their own well-being. Insights into the past and future of positive psychology conclude this thoughtful text. Key Features: Addresses the origins and major tenets of positive psychology Provides a concise and accessible introduction ideal for college courses and seminars Emphasizes well-being as the leading edge of positive psychology research and practice Helps readers understand how positive psychology can help them enhance their own well-being Written by a noted scholar and educator of positive psychology