Positive psychology exploded into public consciousness 10 years ago and has continued to capture attention around the world ever since. The movement promised to study positive human nature, using only the most rigorous scientific tools and theories. How well has this promise been fulfilled? This book evaluates the first decade of this fledgling field of study from the perspective of nearly every leading researcher in the field.
Scholars in the areas of social, personality, clinical, biological, emotional, and applied psychology take stock of their fields, while bearing in mind the original manifesto and goals of the postive psychology movement. They provide honest, critical evaluations of the flaws and untapped potential of their fields of study. The contributors design the optimal future of positive psychology by addressing gaps, biases, and methodological limitations, and exploring exciting new questions.
INTRODUCTORY PERSPECTIVES
1 Positive Psychology: Where Did It Come From, Where Is It Going?
Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi & Jeanne Nakamura
2 Challenges, Pitfalls, and Aspirations for Positive Psychology
Todd B. Kashdan & Michael F. Steger
BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
3 Positive Psychophysiology: The Body and Self-Regulation
Suzanne C. Segerstrom, Timothy W. Smith, & Tory A. Eisenlohr-Moul
4 Positive Psychological States and Biological Processes
Carissa A. Low, Julienne E. Bower, Judith T. Moskowitz, & Elissa S. Epel
5 The Primary Process Affects in Human Development, Happiness, and Thriving
Jaak Panksepp
EMOTION PERSPECTIVES
6 Beyond Pleasure and Pain? Emotion Regulation and Positive Psychology
Maya Tamir & James J. Gross
7 The Positive Psychology of Positive Emotions: An Avuncular View
Shigehiro Oishi & Jaime Kurtz
8 The Future of Emotions Research within Positive Psychology
Sara B. Algoe, Barbara L. Fredrickson, & Sy-Miin Chow
SOCIAL-COGNITIVE PERSPECTIVES
9 The Role of Hypo-egoic Self-processes in Optimal Functioning and Subjective Well-Being
Mark R. Leary & Jennifer Guadagno
10 Experiential Processing and the Integration of Light and Dark Sides of the Human Psyche
Kirk Warren Brown & Melissa Holt
11 A Task-Focused Mind is a Happy and Productive Mind: A Processing Perspective
Michael D. Robinson & Maya Tamir
12 Finding Positive Value in Human Consciousness: Conscious Thought Serves Participation in Society and Culture
E. J. Masicampo & Roy F. Baumeister
PERSONALITY PERSPECTIVES
13 Personality Traits and the Potential of Positive Psychology
Robert R. McCrae
14 Character and Personality: Connections Between Positive Psychology and Personality Psychology
Erik E. Noftle, Sarah A. Schnitker & Richard W. Robins
15 Personality Science and the Northern Tilt: As Positive as Possible Under the Circumstances
Brian R. Little
16 Why Gratitude Enhances Well-Being: What We Know, What We Need to Know
Robert A. Emmons & Anjali Mishra
RELATIONSHIP PERSPECTIVES
17 The Positive Side of Close Relationships
Shelly L. Gable & Courtney Gosnell
18 Positive Relationship Science: A New Frontier for Positive Psychology?
Nathaniel M. Lambert, Frank D. Fincham, A. Marlea Gwinn, & Christine A. Ajayi
19 Coaching and Positive Psychology
Anthony M Grant & Michael J Cavanagh
CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES
20 The Dog Woman, Addie Bundren, and the Ninth Circle of Hell: Positive Psychology Should Be More Open to the Negative
Jennifer L. Hames & Thomas E. Joiner, Jr.
21 Meaning and Growth within Positive Psychology: Towards a More Complete Understanding
Crystal L. Park
22 Mindfulness and Positive Psychological Functioning
Ruth A. Baer & Emily L. B. Lykins
ORGANIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
23 Positive Psychological Capital in the Workplace: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go
Carolyn M. Youssef & Fred Luthans
24 Organizational Applications of Positive Psychology: Taking Stock and a Research / Practice Roadmap for the Future
P. Alex Linley, Nicky Garcea (nee Page), Susan Harrington, Emma Trenier & Gurpal Minhas
SOCIETAL PERSPECTIVES
25 Place and Well-Being
Richard Florida & Peter J. Rentfrow
26 Greater Happiness For A Greater Number: Is that possible? If so how?
Ruut Veenhoven
27 Positive Psychology as a Force for Social Change
Robert Biswas-Diener, P. Alex Linley, Reena Govindji & Linda Woolston
SUMMARY PERSPECTIVES
28 What's Positive about Positive Psychology? Reducing Value-Bias and Enhancing Integration within the Field
Kennon M. Sheldon
29 To Celebrate Positive Psychology and Extend Its Horizons
Gordon Bermant, Charu Talwar, & Paul Rozin
30 Are We There Yet? What Happened on the Way to the Demise of Positive Psychology
Laura A. King
31 Positive Psychology in Historical and Philosophical Perspective: Predicting Its Future from the Past
Dean Keith Simonton
