Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-18T22:16:31.608Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

7 - The Intersection of Positive Psychology and AC4P

from INTRODUCTION TO PART I - EVIDENCE-BASED PRINCIPLES OF AC4P

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2016

E. Scott Geller
By
Keenan Twohig ,
Matt Fornito  and
E. Scott Geller
E. Scott Geller
Affiliation:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Keenan Twohig
Affiliation:
Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
E. Scott Geller
Affiliation:
Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
Get access

Summary

[I]n the last ten years, we've seen the beginnings of a science of positive psychology, a science of what makes life worth living.

– Martin Seligman

When you think about psychology, what comes to mind? Perhaps a therapist or marriage counselor helping patients work through emotional and relationship issues or a licensed psychiatrist prescribing an antidepressant to a clinically diagnosed patient. Maybe you imagine a cognitive behavioral therapist treating someone's crippling social phobia or post-traumatic stress disorder. Common to all these impressions is this: The focus is predominantly on correcting a negative psychological state and alleviating mental and emotional suffering. Psychology, it would seem, is all about identifying and eliminating mental afflictions, negative emotions, and disruptive, destructive behaviors – attempting through various techniques and medications to bring abnormality back to normality.

But why this preoccupation with negativity? Negative disorders. Negative behaviors. Depression. Anxiety. Phobias and traumas. After all, humans possess many, many strengths – positives. We are curious, creative, brave, kind, and loving – we can actively care. We appreciate integrity, wisdom, gratitude, mindfulness, and fair play. We seek out and celebrate warm, nurturing social relationships; we inspire others and are inspired in return. Plus, we are resilient; we can sustain hope through many trials and tribulations. We genuinely care for the well-being and the safety and health of people who are close to us – even strangers we know nothing about. And within us and for others we have the capacity to activate and nurture these strengths just as a gardener waters seeds and watches them bloom.

The truth is psychology is about both sides of the human condition and fulfilling lives as well as curing people of mental and emotional suffering. As the twenty-first century began, a few researchers sought to revive a genuine, scientific interest in promoting the positive dimensions of psychology. They began foundational work in the domain known today as positive psychology. This is not to say positive psychology suddenly became a new field, bursting out of nowhere. Applied behavioral science (ABS) focused on the application of positive over negative consequences to improve behavior for many years before the evolution of this “new” positive psychology. As a subfield of psychology, positive psychology attempts to identify interventions to support positive psychological growth – emotional fulfillment and happiness.

Type
Chapter
Information
Applied Psychology
Actively Caring for People
 , pp. 228 - 272
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2016

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2. VIA Character Strengths,http://www.viacharacter.org/.
3. Sheldon, K. M., & King, L. (2001). Why positive psychology is necessary. American Psychologist, 56(3), 216–217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5.Google Scholar
5. Seligman, M. E. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment: New York: Simon &Schuster.
6. Seligman, M. E., & Gillham, J. (2000). Hope and happiness. In The science of optimism and hope: Research essays in honor of Martin E. P. Seligman (pp. 323–336). Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press.
7. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potential: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 141–166.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potential: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9. Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: An introduction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9 (1), 1–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10. Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063–1070.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11. Keyes, C. L. M., Shmotkin, D., & Ryff, C. F. (2002). Optimizing well-being: The empirical encounter of two traditions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(6), 1007.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12. Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13. Diener, E. (2000). Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a national index. American Psychologist, 55(1), 34–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14. Wilson, W. R. (1967). Correlates of avowed happiness. Psychological Bulletin, 67(4), 294.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111–131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16. Lischetzke, T., & Eid, M. (2006). Why extraverts are happier than introverts: The role of mood regulation. Journal of Personality, 74(4), 1127–1161.Google Scholar
17. Harker, L., & Keltner, D. (2001). Expressions of positive emotion in women's college yearbook pictures and their relationship to personality and life outcomes across adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(1), 112–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18. Ostir, G., Markides, K., & Black, S. (2000). Emotional well-being predicts subsequent functional independence and survival. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 48(5), 473–478.Google Scholar
19. Danner, D. D., Snowdon, D. A., & Friesen, W. V. (2001). Positive emotions in early life and longevity: Findings from the nun study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(5), 804–813.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20. Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., Kunkel, S. R., & Kasl, S. V. (2002). Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(2), 261–270.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21. Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. (2002). Very happy people. Psychological Science, 13(1), 81–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22. Dunn, E. W., Aknin, L. B., & Norton, M. I. (2008). Spending money on others promotes happiness. Science, 319(5870), 1687–1688.Google Scholar
23. Luthans, F. (2002). The need for and meaning of positive organization behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23(6), 695–706.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24. Luthans, F., Luthans, K. W., & Luthans, B. C. (2004). Positive psychological capital: Beyond human and social capital. Business Horizons, 47(1), 45–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25. Luthans, F., Avey, J. B., & Patera, J. L. (2008). Experimental analysis of a web-based training intervention to develop positive psychological capital. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 7(2), 209–221.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
26. Fredrickson, B. L. (2003). The value of positive emotions: The emerging science of positive psychology is coming to understand why it's good to feel good. American Scientist, 91(4), 330–335.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27. Avolio, B. J., & Gardner, W. L. (2005). Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership. Leadership Quarterly, 16(3), 316.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
28. Gable, S. L., & Haidt, J. (2005). What (and why) is positive psychology?Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 103–110.Google Scholar
29. Wiegand, D. M., & Geller, E. S. (2005). Connecting positive psychology and organizational behavior management. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 24(1–2), 3–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30. Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
31. Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
32. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.CrossRef
33. Assess your relative character strength at no cost at www.viame.org.
34. Cacioppo, J. T., Petty, R. E., Feinstein, J. A., & Jarvis, W. B. (1996).Dispositional differences in cognitive motivation: The life and times of individuals varying in need for cognition. Psychological Bulletin, 119(2), 197–253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
35. Sansone, C., & Smith, J. L. (2000). The “how” of goal pursuit: Interest and self-regulation. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 306–309.Google Scholar
36. Kreitler, S., Kreitler, H., & Zigler, E. (1974). Cognitive orientation and curiosity. British Journal of Psychology, 65(1), 43–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
37. Kashdan, T. B., & Roberts, J. E. (2004). Social anxiety's impact on affect, curiosity, and social self-efficacy during a high self-focus social threat situation. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 28(1), 119–141.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
38. Schiefele, U., Krapp, A., & Winteler, A. (1992). Interest as a predictor of academic achievement: A meta-analysis of research. In Renninger, A., Hidi, S., & Krapp, A. (Eds.).The role of interest in learning and development (pp. 183–212).Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
39. Reio, T. G., & Wiswell, A. (2000). Field investigation of the relationship among adult curiosity, workplace learning, and job performance. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 11(1), 5–30.3.0.CO;2-A>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
40. Aluja-Fabregat, A. (2000). Personality and curiosity about TV and film violence in adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 29(2), 379–392.Google Scholar
41. Baltes, P. B., & Staudinger, U. M. (2000). Wisdom: A meta-heuristic (pragmatic) to orchestrate mind and virtue toward excellence. American Psychologist, 55(1), 122–136.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
42. Baltes, P. B., & Staudinger, U. M. (1993). The search for a psychology of wisdom. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2(3), 75–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
43. Shelp, E. E. (1984). Courage: A neglected virtue in the patient–physician relationship. Social Science and Medicine, 18, 351–360.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
44. Shepela, S. T., Cook, J., Horlitz, E., Leal, R., Luciano, S., Lutfy, E., et al. (1999). Courageous resistance: A special case of altruism. Theory & Psychology, 9(6), 787–805.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
45. Finfgeld, D. L. (1999). Courage as a process of pushing beyond the struggle. Qualitative Health Research, 9(6), 803–814.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
46. Larsen, K. S., & Giles, H. (1976). Survival or courage as human motivation: Development of an attitude scale. Psychological Reports, 39(1), 299–302.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
47. Goldberg, C., & Simon, J. (1982). Toward a psychology of courage: Implications for the change (healing) process. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 13(2), 107–128.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
48. Spreitzer, G. M., McCall, M. W., & Mahoney, J. D. (1997). Early identification of international executive potential. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82(1), 6–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
49. Golden, L. (1996). The economics of work time length, adjustment, and flexibility. Review of Social Economy, 54(1), 1–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
50. National Transportation Safety Board (2002). Flight Path Study: American Airlines Flight 11. http://www.ntsb.gov/about/Documents/Flight_Path_Study_AA11.pdf, retrieved February 19, 2002.
51. National Transportation Safety Board (2002). Flight Path Study: United Airlines Flight 175. http://www.ntsb.gov/about/Documents/Flight_Path_Study_UA175.pdf, retrieved February 19, 2002.
52. National Transportation Safety Board (2002). Flight Path Study: American Airlines Flight 77. http://www.ntsb.gov/about/Documents/Flight_Path_Study_AA77.pdf, retrieved February 19, 2002.
53. Snyder, D. (2002). Families hear flight 93's final moments. Washington Post, April 19. http://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/04/19/families-hear-flight-93s-final-moments/de9e0830-f706-4cad-84d2-f1a8a4e2e690/; http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/04/12/text-flight-3-recording.html, retrieved November 12, 2013.
54. CBC News (2011). Winnipegger heads to NY for 9/11 memorial. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipegger-heads-to-ny-for-9-11-memorial-1.991431, retrieved November 13, 2013. A total of 2,996 people died: 19 hijackers and 2,977 victims.
55. Cauchon, D., & Moore, M. (2002). Desperation forced a horrific decision. USA Today, September 2. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/sept11/2002-09-02-jumper_x.htm, retrieved September 2, 2011.
56. Grady, D., & Revkin, A. C. (2002). Threats and responses: Rescuer's health; Lung ailments may force 500 firefighters off job. New York Times, September 10. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/10/us/threats-responses-rescuer-s-health-lung-ailments-may-force-500-firefighters-off.html, retrieved September 2, 2011.
57. Associated Press (2002). Post-9/11 report recommends police, fire response changes. USA Today, August 19. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-08-19-nypd-nyfd-report_x.htm, retrieved September 2, 2011.
58. CNN (2002). Police back on day-to-day beat after 9/11 nightmare. July 21. http://edition.cnn.com/2002/US/07/20/wtc.police/index.html?related, retrieved November 12, 2013.
59. Joshi, P. (2005). Port Authority workers to be honored. Newsday, September 8. http://www.newsday.com/news/port-authority-workers-to-be-honored-1.695524, retrieved September 2, 2011.
60. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
61. Ones, D. S., Viswesvaran, C., & Schmidt, F. L. (1995). Integrity tests: Overlooked facts, resolved issues, and remaining questions. American Psychologist, 50(6), 456–457.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
62. Eisenberg, N., Miller, P. A., Schaller, M., Fabes, R. A., Fultz, J., Shell, R., et al. (1989). The role of sympathy and altruistic personality traits in helping: A reexamination. Journal of Personality, 57(1), 41–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
63. Unger, L. S., & Thumuluri, L. K. (1997). Trait empathy and continuous helping: The case of voluntarism. Journal of Social Behavior & Personality. 12(3), 785–800.Google Scholar
64. Carlo, G., Koller, S. H., Eisenberg, N., Silva, M. S., & Frohlich, C. B. (1996). A cross-national study on the relations among prosocial moral reasoning, gender role orientations, and prosocial behaviors. Developmental Psychology, 32(2), 231–240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
65. Carlson, M., Charlin, V., & Miller, N. (1988). Positive mood and helping behavior: A test of six hypotheses. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 55(2), 211–229.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
66. Thorndike, E. L. (1920). Intelligence and its uses. Harper's Magazine, 140, 227–235.Google Scholar
67. Gardner, H. (2004) Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York: Basic Books.
68. Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1989). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 9(3), 185–211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
69. Mayer, J. D. (2003). Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test: MSCEIT. North Tonawanda, NY: MHS, Multi-Health Systems.
70. Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence. New York: Bantam Books.
71. Snyder, M. (1974). Self-monitoring of expressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30, 4, 526–537.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
72. Berkowitz, L., & Lutterman, K. G. (1968). The traditional socially responsible personality. Public Opinion Quarterly, 32(2), 169–185.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
73. Ball, T., Farr, J., & Hanson, R. L. (1989). Political innovation and conceptual change. New York: Cambridge University Press.
74. Gough, H. G., McClosky, H., & Meehl, P. E. (1952). A personality scale for social responsibility. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 47(1), 73–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
75. Starrett, R. H. (1996). Assessment of global social responsibility. Psychological Reports, 78, 535–554.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
76. Mann, R. D. (1959). A review of the relationships between personality and performance in small groups. Psychological Bulletin, 56(4), 241.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
77. Fleishman, E. A. (1953). The description of supervisory behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 37(1), 1–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
78. Day, D. V., & Lord, R. G. (1988). Executive leadership and organizational performance: Suggestions for a new theory and methodology. Journal of Management, 14(3), 453–464.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
79. Gerstner, C. R., & Day, D. V. (1997). Meta-analytic review of leader–member exchange theory: Correlates and construct issues. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82(6), 827–844.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
80. Pruyser, P. W. (1976). The minister as diagnostician: Personal problems in pastoral perspective. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, p. 69.
81. Emmons, R. A., & Crumpler, C. A. (2000). Gratitude as a human strength: Appraising the evidence. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 19(1), 56–69.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
82. McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J. (2002). The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(1), 112–127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
83. McCarty, R., Atkinson, M., Tiller, W. A., Rein, G., & Watkins, A. D. (1995). The effects of emotions on short-term power spectrum analysis of heart rate variability. American Journal of Cardiology, 76(14), 1089–1093.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
84. Snyder, C. R., Harris, C., Anderson, J. R., & Holleran, S. A. (1991). The will and the ways: Development and validation of an individual-differences measure of hope. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60(4), 570–585.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
85. Snyder, C. R., Harris, C., Anderson, J. R., & Holleran, S. A. (1991). The will and the ways: Development and validation of an individual-differences measure of hope. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60(4), p. 571.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
86. Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1992). Effects of optimism on psychological and physical well-being: Theoretical overview and empirical update. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 16(2), 201–228.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
87. Buchanan, G. M., & Seligman, M. E. (1995). Explanatory style. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
88. Geller, E. S. (2001).The psychology of safety handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
89. Lyubomirsky, S., Dickerhoof, R., Boehm, J. K., & Sheldon, K. M. (2011). Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way: An experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-being. Emotion, 11(2), 391.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
90. McCarty, S. M., & Geller, E. S. (2014). Actively caring to prevent bullying: Prompting and rewarding prosocial behavior in elementary schools. In Geller, E. S. (Ed.).Actively caring at your school: How to make it happen (2nd ed.) (pp. 177–197). Newport, VA: Make-A-Difference; McCarty, S., Teie, S., McCutchen, J., & Geller, E. S. (in press). Actively caring to prevent bullying in an elementary school: Prompting and rewarding prosocial behavior. Journal of Prevention Intervention in the Community.

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×