Positive psychology 101

This brief text, suitable for upper division undergraduate courses and graduate seminars, introduces students to the hugely popular field of positive psychology. One of the most important movements in psychological science in the past two decades, positive psychology has captured the interest of students, practitioners, and researchers in psychology, as well as the general public. Positive psychology as a discipline seeks to understand the factors that contribute the most to a well-lived and fulfilling life for individuals and serves as a complement to what has been seen as psychology's traditional focus on deficits in human functioning. This brief, accessible introduction to positive psychology focuses on the key theories and research that has made this field so intriguing. Surveying the four pillars of positive psychology - Subjective well-being, positive emotions, positive psychological traits, and positive institutions, this book pays particular attention to the emergence of well-being - the study of happiness - as the leading edge of positive psychology research and practice. Also considering the criticisms that have developed of positive psychology, this book helps readers will understand how the science of positive psychology can enhance their own well-being.