Designing Positive Psychology
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 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.
“As positive psychology enters its second decade as a formally-christened perspective, it is important to take stock and also to plan ahead. The present volume accordingly deserves a place on the bookshelf (and desk) of everyone concerned with the scientific study of what makes life worth living.”
– Christopher Peterson, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Author of A Primer in Positive Psychology
“I couldn’t put this book down! The chapters demonstrate a rare uniformity of excellence – replete with rigorous review and critique of theory, empirical research, thoughtful commentary, and provocative suggestions. After a decade of being described as an ’emerging’ field,’ positive psychology is maturing and coming into its own. “
– Sonja Lyubomirsky, Professor of Psychology, Author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want