
A Primer in Positive Psychology
Christopher Peterson(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 17. August 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-0-19-518833-2 (ISBN)
Description
Positive psychology is the scientific study of what goes right in life, from birth to death and at all stops in between.
Every life has peaks and valleys; positive psychology does not deny this valleys, but holds that: what is good about life is as genuine as what is bad and, therefore, deserves equal attention from psychologists.
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.
Every life has peaks and valleys; positive psychology does not deny this valleys, but holds that: what is good about life is as genuine as what is bad and, therefore, deserves equal attention from psychologists.
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.
Reviews / Votes
The book is entertaining and accessible. It constitutes a valuable resource for introducing positive psychology to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as anyone interested in the subject. * Toni Brennan, Psychology Learning and Teaching, August 2007 *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
13 Zeichnungen
13 line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
746 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-518833-2 (9780195188332)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Christopher Peterson
A Primer in Positive Psychology
E-Book
07/2006
OUP eBook
€44.99
Available for download

Christopher Peterson
A Primer in Positive Psychology
E-Book
07/2006
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€44.99
Available for download
Person
Christopher Peterson has been at the University of Michigan since 1986. He is Professor of Psychology, the former director of clinical training, and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, awarded in recognition of his accomplishments as an undergraduate instructor. Peterson is a member of the Positive Psychology Steering Committee, a consulting editor of the Journal of Positive Psychology, and a Templeton Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center. He took the lead in creating the Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Strengths, the most ambitious research project to date explicitly undertaken from a positive psychology perspective. Co-author of Character Strengths and Virtues (OUP 2004), Peterson is among the world's 100 most-frequently cited psychologists during the past 20 years and has long-standing research interests in optimism, health, character, and well-being.
Author
Professor of PsychologyProfessor of Psychology, The University of Michigan
Content
Preface ; 1. What is Positive Psychology? ; 2. Learning about Positive Psychology: Not a Spectator Sport ; 3. Pleasure and Positive Experience ; 4. Happiness ; 5. Positive Thinking ; 6. Character Strengths ; 7. Values ; 8. Interests, Abilities, and Accomplishments ; 9. Wellness ; 10. Positive Interpersonal Relationships ; 11. Enabling Institutions ; 12. The Future of Positive Psychology ; References ; Index of Names ; Subject Index