Main description:

This volume is a comprehensive review of theoretical and empirical contributions to positive psychology. It provides a scientific understanding of how human strengths help people psychologically and physically, showing how stressful circumstances do not inexorably lead to negative prognoses. It examines how individuals confront challenges, appreciate others, and regard daily experiences as meaningful. Many of the chapters also challenge the negative, disease-model approach that dominates much of the research concerning health and well-being. Chapters also address applications and future directions for the field. The broad scope makes it a key resource for undergraduates, graduates, researchers, and practitioners in social, clinical, and positive psychology.

Contents:

Preface 1. Putting Positive Psychology into Perspective Dana S. Dunn Positive Subjective Experiences 2. Subjective Well-Being: Payoffs of Being Happy and Ways to Promote Happiness Samantha J. Heintzelman & Louis Tay 3. Positive Emotions and Well-Being Khoa D. Le Nguyen & Barbara L. Fredrickson 4. Savoring: A Positive Emotion Amplifier Jaime L. Kurtz 5. Spending Money Well Katherine B. Hanniball, Lara B. Aknin & Dylan Wiwad 6. I'm Right There with You: Two Ways Merely Being with a Close or Familiar Other Enhances Well-Being Erica J. Boothby & Margaret S. Clark Positive Traits 7. Mindfulness Ellen J. Langer & Christelle T. Ngnoumen 8. Optimism, Health, and Well-Being Laura C. Bouchard, Charles S. Carver, Maria G. Mens, & Michael F. Scheier 9. Forgiveness and Well-Being Charlotte van Oyen Wityliet & Lindsey Root Luna 10. Courage, Courageous Acts, and Positive Psychology Cynthia L.S. Pury & Shawn Saylors Positive Institutional Perspectives and New Directions 11. Positive Psychology in the Workplace: The Important Role of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) Fred Luthans & Regina Frey 12. Applying Principles of Positive Pscyhology to Student Success and Well Being: Enabling all Students to Thrive Laurie A. Schreiner 13. Existential Meaning in Life and Positive Psychological Functioning Andrew G. Christy, Grace Rivera, Kaiyuan Chen, & Joshua A. Hicks 14. A Positive Pscyhology for Disability and Rehabiliation: Some Recent Advances Dana S. Dunn 15. Toward a Positive Psychology of Single Life Bella DePaulo 16. Positive Psychology Interventions: Clinical Applications Mariya Smirnova & Acacia Parks 17. Self Determination and Positive Psychological Aspects of Social Psychology Michael L. Wehmeyer & Karrie A. Shogren 18. Applied Positive Psychology: Facilitating Multidimensional Flourishing Tim Lomas Index