Handbook of Positive Psychology [Paperback]

C. R. Snyder (Editor), Shane J. Lopez (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195182790 | ISBN-13: 978-0195182798 | Publication Date: March 10, 2005 | Edition: 1

Psychology has long been enamored of the dark side of human existence, rarely exploring a more positive view of the mind. What has psychology contributed, for example, to our understanding of the various human virtues? Regrettably, not much. The last decade, however, has witnessed a growing movement to abandon the exclusive focus on the negative. Psychologists from several subdisciplines are now asking an intriguing question: "What strengths does a person employ to deal effectively with life?"

The Handbook of Positive Psychology provides a forum for a more positive view of the human condition. In its pages, readers are treated to an analysis of what the foremost experts believe to be the fundamental strengths of humankind. Both seasoned professionals and students just entering the field are eager to grasp the power and vitality of the human spirit as it faces a multitude of life challenges. The Handbook is the first systematic attempt to bring together leading scholars to give voice to the emerging field of positive psychology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is not often, if ever, that one is able to witness a scientific revolution. However, that privilege may have been allowed readers of the Handbook of Positive Psychology. With its publication positive psychology has arrived, and the landscape of our discipline may have changed for ever. Human strengths, happiness, positive emotions, wisdom, creativity, love, forgiveness, optimism, personal growth, humour (to name but a few) were traditionally distinct research domains--far from central to psychological endeavours, if not viewed through the lens of psychopathology. However, with the advent of the Handbook, they have found themselves a new home. [T]he Handbook should be considered essential reading for all those interested in positive psychology. As Snyder quotes a fellow passenger on a plane once saying to him: 'Positive psychology, that's a good way to spend your time.' Having read the Handbook, I can only agree, and urge others to do the same."--The Psychologist

"Psychology has long been enamored of the dark side of human existence, rarely exploring a more positive view of the mind. What has psychology contributed, for example, to our understanding of the various human virtues? Regrettably, not much. ... The Handbook of Positive Psychology provides a forum for a more positive view of the human condition. It examines positive subjective experiences, cognitive constructs about the future, and the capacity for courage, aesthetic sensibility, creativity, perseverance, altruism, tolerance, and wisdom at the individual and group levels. It offers chapters that examine the fundamental strengths of humankind; emotion-focused, self-based, cognitive-focused, interpersonal, and biological approaches to this new psychology; approaches for use with special populations and settings (children, the elderly, the physically disabled); and a chapter in which the experts looks [sic] to the future."--Adolescence

About the Author

C. R. Snyder is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Graduate Training Program in Clinical Psychology at the University of Kansas. Shane J. Lopez is Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Kansas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 848 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (March 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195182790
• ISBN-13: 978-0195182798
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good -- But Now Challenged by Newer, Balanced Handbook, November 15, 2002

By 

"rouxprof" (Natick MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of Positive Psychology (Hardcover)

This Handbook is important to me and other psychology professors because it was the first in print for the new 21st Century wave of the Positive Psychology Movement. I say 'important' even though one honestly must say that for a more balanced view in academic psychology, one also should read the books edited by Ed Chang which give fair and balanced coverage of individual differences in both optimism and pessimism, including 'defensive pessimism.' Now, just published a few days ago, there is a second positive psychology handbook available, "A Psychology of Human Strengths" edited by Aspinwall and Staudinger. Compared to the first handbook, the new one's 23 chapters by various leading psychologists (including Seligman) are not only, well, "newer" -- they also have a better scholarly balance. For example, the chapter by Cantor on "Constructive Cognition" discusses her work with Norem on constructive pessimism. And a third handbook-type volume entitled "Flourishing" is also forthcoming. Concerning this first 21st Century Handbook of Positive Psychology, it will remain an important book not only for being first, but also perhaps for being too extreme, in an unrealistic way that is already being improved by a more realistic approach to positive psychology.