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Over the years, thousands of articles have been published explaining or critiquing positive psychology, providing valuable insights on further developing the field. In this chapter, we begin by sharing articles that define positive psychology and trace its evolution from the initial concepts to its expanded version. Next, we explore the breadth of the field by examining articles that highlight its focus, which extends widely into many other fields of research and practice. Following this, we delve into the critiques of positive psychology, analysing the main issues and recommendations for addressing them. Diversity and inclusion within the field are essential but often overlooked aspects of positive psychology. To address this, articles that explore concepts such as the Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) population, ethnocentrism, and multiculturalism are explored. We also discuss the key articles from positive psychology relating to how the field addresses some pressing global issues. These include climate change, bullying and the application of positive psychology with communities such as refugees and LGBTQ+. Finally, the chapter concludes with a review of the challenges with the research methods and some ethical considerations that need to be explored within the field. This comprehensive introduction offers a thorough perspective on the field, highlights its evolution over the decades, and pinpoints opportunities for enhancing its impact, output, and scientific rigour.

Pages: 51

Positive psychology is the field of optimal functioning. While it does not solely focus on wellbeing, wellbeing and the good life are inevitably the most prevalent topics within positive psychology. This chapter will explore the main wellbeing models that underpin positive psychology. It will start with the original models of subjective and psychological wellbeing and progress through the contemporary flourishing frameworks and the recently introduced psychological richness model. We will then explore the main components of the models through key articles relating to such concepts as positive affect, accomplishment, optimism, meaning in life, or self-acceptance. Then, additional components of wellbeing will be discussed, such as hope, authenticity, or self-compassion. While they are not officially part of any of the leading models of wellbeing, they provide alternative pathways for improving wellbeing. Next, we will address some of the critiques of the wellbeing models in positive psychology and identify key areas where improvement is required to refine both research and application. Finally, while most wellbeing models emphasise the development of resources that contribute to the good life, they do not explicitly focus on how people cope with adversities. In the final section of this chapter, we will examine key papers relating to wellbeing in the context of adversity. Specifically, we will explore how individuals can cope with challenges in a way that can facilitate their wellbeing. Overall, this comprehensive chapter will provide a detailed overview of current approaches to wellbeing in positive psychology, including the tension between wellbeing and illbeing. It will also highlight ways in which wellbeing should be rethought and redesigned to best address the needs of the modern world, inspiring the readers with the potential for innovation.

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What differentiates the positive psychology field is its dedication to applying the research in an accessible way. Positive psychology applications have become mainstream as we continue to explore the best ways to improve individuals’ and communities’ wellbeing. We will begin this chapter by exploring how circumstances, environmental factors, and other elements impact our wellbeing. This includes concepts such as personality, socio-economic background, and genetics. Regardless of what interventions we apply, many of us have an advantage or disadvantage for wellbeing. Then, we will delve into selected positive psychology interventions, such as counting your blessings, savouring, kindness, or humour. This section will provide insights into the range of interventions that are available for practice. Finally, we will explore the key studies assessing the effectiveness of these interventions in improving health and wellbeing. This will include the first assessment of a happiness programme in 1977, progressing through to today. This chapter will help readers understand the tools available in positive psychology and how to engage with the research, whether it’s through non-intentional (e.g. personality) or intentional (e.g. structured interventions) means.

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The intentional activities that improve wellbeing come with additional conditions. Their effectiveness is governed by a range of factors such as how the interventions are presented, designed, or performed. In this chapter, we will begin by exploring the most common approach to practising wellbeing interventions, which is online. We will identify what is the optimal number of interventions that should be practised, and other nuances associated with improving online engagement. Next, we will delve into the world of mechanisms that influence the effectiveness of interventions. These mechanisms are like a gauge that can either minimise or maximise their performance. We will dig deeper into the main frameworks that guide the positive psychology intervention application, explore the impact of context, and theories that amplify the impact of interventions on wellbeing. Finally, we will stress the exploration of the process of change that occurs when applying positive psychology. We will explore models that explain the readiness for change, motivation, and self-control. This chapter will deepen readers’ knowledge and create a foundation for developing skills to maximise the impact of any application in positive psychology.

Pages: 33

One of the greatest accomplishments of the field of positive psychology is its transformative spread across a range of diverse fields. In this chapter, we will explore how it has been combined with other scientific fields and how it impacted them. We will begin by exploring the fast-emerging field of Positive Health, which is the application of positive psychology within the healthcare field. It also includes examining how positive psychology concepts can support those who experience physical and mental health issues. Then, we will examine another fast-growing field of positive coaching, which brings together positive psychology science with the psychology of coaching. It has a two-directional objective for positive psychology to support coaching psychology with evidence-based tools to improve clients’ wellbeing, but also coaching psychology supporting positive psychology to improve the application of the research in framework-based conversations. Next, we will delve into the new field of positive technology and explore how it can be beneficial in creating technology that serves us all well, by enhancing our wellbeing rather than impacting negatively on our health and wellbeing. Afterwards, we will delve deeper into the new science of positive education that explores how positive psychology research can be applied and embedded in educational systems. Next, we will tap into the workplace wellbeing and the field that is gaining traction in the past decade. We will explore the research behind it and ways in which it can be further developed. Following this, we will explore a new field of Wellbeing arts, which is slowly becoming a helpful exploration of how arts and humanities can be used to support wellbeing. Finally, we will describe a range of other disciplines that are developing rapidly while embracing the research of positive psychology. A sociologist once said that when you put disciplines together, they are not just a mix of both, but they start creating a diverse identity that becomes something new. This chapter is a foundation for presenting the key studies that contribute to this transformation.

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As we reach the end of this journey through the key studies in positive psychology, I invite you to picture a vibrant forest. Each study discussed in this book represents a unique tree within that forest. As we moved through the book chapters, we stopped at some trees and ignored others. This doesn’t mean that the ignored trees were any less significant. They have contributed to the field of positive psychology all the same and helped to develop it further. However, some trees stood out, for me and other contributors, who I have consulted when writing this volume. Their branches have grown so high and wide that they began to influence other trees nearby. These trees have been highlighted in this volume as key studies.