Applied Positive Psychology: Integrated Positive Practice / Edition 1

by Tim Lomas, Kate Hefferon, Itai Ivtzan

Overview

Updated with the latest theory and research and structured around a pioneering multidimensional model of wellbeing, this book equips you with the knowledge and tools to apply positive psychology to many areas of life.

This includes interventions aimed at developing mental and physical functioning, as well as recommendations for enhancing relationships and reshaping organisational structures. A wealth of case studies show you how these practices can be successfully deployed in diverse real-world contexts, such as society, religion, the classroom and the workplace.

Key features include:

• Learning objectives

• Practice essay questions and quizzes

• Useful psychometric tools you can adapt for your own research

• Summary boxes

• Case study and reflection boxes

• Suggested further reading

• Keyword definitions and glossary list of acronyms

This book is essential reading for students of Applied Positive Psychology or the Psychology of Happiness and Wellbeing.

Tim Lomas is a Psychology Research Scientist in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and part of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University.
Kate Hefferon is a Chartered Research Psychologist.
Itai Ivtzan is the Director of the School of Positive Transformation.
Kirsty Gardiner is a Chartered Social Psychologist and a Research Director of a DEI consultancy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781446298626
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	10/11/2014
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Dr Tim Lomas, Ph D, is a Psychology Research Scientist in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and part of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University. Tim’s main research focus is exploring cross-cultural perspectives on wellbeing, especially concepts and practices deemed ‘non-Western.’ Since 2013, Tim has published over 100 papers and 12 books relating to wellbeing, involving topics/approaches including linguistics, non-human intelligence, semiotics, art, emotional dialectics, balance/harmony, systems theory, social theory, politics, gender, and Buddhism. His latest book, entitled Happiness, was published in 2023 by MIT Press as part of their Essential Knowledge series.

Dr. Kate Hefferon is a Chartered Research Psychologist, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of the Msc in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of East London. She is the author of several peer-reviewed papers, books and book chapters and has presented at conferences nationally and internationally on positive psychology. Her research interests include posttraumatic growth, resilience, physical activity and embodiment.

Dr Itai Ivtzan is passionate about the combination of psychology and spirituality. He is the director of the School of Positive Transformation. He published several books, as well as many journal papers and book chapters. His main interests are positive psychology, mindfulness, and spirituality. He is a regular keynote speaker at conferences. If you wish to get additional information about his work or contact him, please visit the School of Positive Transformation website.

Dr Kirsty Gardiner is a Chartered Social Psychologist, and a Research Director of a DEI consultancy. She is an experienced lecturer in Positive Psychology, Social Psychology, and Behaviour Change, having led and taught on several prominent University courses. Kirsty is also a dedicated researcher, focusing specifically on the socio-cultural determinants of health and wellbeing - and believes ardently in the value of research for driving social change.

Table of Contents

1 Preparing for the Journey
2 The Mind
3 The Body and the Brain
4 Culture and Society
5 Childhood and Development
6 Occupations and Organisations
7 Religion and Spirituality
8 Ethical and Reflective Practice

Editorial Reviews

This textbook captures the best of the positive psychology initiative, and most importantly, translates it to practice. The authors bring remarkable depth and breadth to the subject matter and do so in a way that is fresh, engaging, relevant, and unusually thoughtful. Everyone who reads this book will derive useful insights about how to live. The closing chapter on ethical and reflective practice is a masterpiece.

Carol Ryff

It's hard to think of any discipline that could be more important in modern society than Positive Psychology - the science and practice of improving wellbeing. This book marks a significant coming-of-age for this exciting and rapidly developing field. It provides a grounded, compelling and comprehensive view of the many ways that Positive Psychology can help make life better - from individuals and families to schools, workplaces and communities; from birth and childhood to adult life and old age. If you want to understand what Positive Psychology really is, learn how it works in practice and discover its huge potential to transform our lives and our world then look no further than this superb book. I really can't recommend it highly enough.

Dr Mark Williamson

If you think you know what positive psychology is, think again! This book offers a new integrative vision for making life better that takes in the body and the brain, culture and society, and childhood and development. Written by the team who lead the Applied Positive Psychology programme at the University of East London you can be sure that the scholarship is cutting edge. A must read for students of positive psychology.

Professor Stephen Joseph

If you think you know what positive psychology is, think again! This book offers a new integrative vision for making life better that takes in the body and the brain, culture and society, and childhood and development. Written by the team who lead the Applied Positive Psychology programme at the University of East London you can be sure that the scholarship is cutting edge. A must read for students of positive psychology.

From the Publisher

If you are interested in having a positive impact on people’s lives then this book is for you. By firmly placing Positive Psychology in an applied and social context the authors identify its true purpose - to make life better. It does a brilliant job of showing readers how to apply the insights that research has uncovered. It will surely become one of the go-to text books for all students of Positive Psychology.

Nic Marks

A major strength of the book relates to the diversity with which the material is presented. It is rare for a textbook to contain such a multitude of learning tools (e.g. case studies, measurement tools, media, and quizzes).
In sum, Applied Positive Psychology provides a thoughtful and thorough description of the practical realm of positive psychology. It is an appropriate textbook choice for courses with an applied focus, and a good companion text for courses with a broader focus on positive psychology.

Kelly Campbell