The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology

Positive psychology, the pursuit of understanding optimal human functioning, is reshaping the scholarly and public views of how we see the science of psychology. The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology provides a comprehensive and accessible summary of this growing area of scholarship and practice.

• 288 specially commissioned entries written by 150 leading international researchers, educators, and practitioners in positive psychology
• covers topics of interest across all social sciences as well as business and industry
• the most current, extensive, and accessible treatment of the subject available
• topical primer clarifies basic constructs and processes associated with positive psychology
• will be useful to students, teachers, practitioners, businesspeople, and policy makers

Positive Psychologie, die Erforschung des optimalen menschlichen Wirkens, verändert das Wesen und die Wahrnehmung der klassischen Psychologie in der Wissenschaft und in der Öffentlichkeit. Dieses Werk betrachtet die Themenvielfalt dieses neuen Ansatzes in allen sozialen Wissenschaften und auch ihre Bedeutung in Wirtschaft und Industrie.

List of Entries vi

List of Contributors x

Foreword xviii

Preface xx

Acknowledgments xxi

Entries A–Z 1–1045

Name Index 1046

Subject Index 1058

Shane J. Lopez is the Research Director of the Clifton Strengths Institute, as well as a Gallup senior scientist. He is co-editor on the Handbook of Positive Psychology (2002) and Positive Psychological Assessment: A Handbook of Models and Measures (2003), and co-author of Positive Psychology (2007), all with Rick Snyder.

“This encyclopedia embodies what is known in this new discipline today. It is a ‘must have’ reference for anyone interested in the field of positive psychology.”
Martin E.P. Seligman, Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania

“University libraries catering for academic work in psychology, even if its proponents do not specifically call themselves positive psychologists, can be recommended to put this book on their wish lists.”
Reference Reviews

“…an excellent component of a positive psychology reference collection for both beginning and advanced students. Summing Up: Essential.”
CHOICE

“Written as a primer for the novice, it provides insight into the constructs and processes embedded in this arena together with extensive treatment of the subject across the social sciences. …The strength of the work is that it speaks to everyone clearly, concisely, and in plain English.”
Library Journal

Positive psychology, the pursuit of understanding optimal human functioning, is reshaping the scholarly and public views of how we see the science of psychology and is shining a spotlight on the potency of human strengths and positive emotions. The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology provides a comprehensive and accessible summary of this area of scholarship and practice.

With 288 specially commissioned entries written by leading international researchers, educators, and practitioners in positive psychology, this groundbreaking encyclopedia presents the most current, extensive, and accessible treatment of the subject available to students, teachers, practitioners, business people, and policy makers.

Experts will consider this a quick reference to the topics that are part and parcel of their daily work and nonexperts will appreciate the topical primer designed to clarify basic constructs and processes associated with positive psychology. Overall, readers will find this book well organized, engaging, and instructive.

“This encyclopedia embodies what is known in this new discipline today. It is a ‘must have’ reference for anyone interested in the field of positive psychology.”

Martin E.P. Seligman, University of Pennsylvania

“University libraries catering for academic work in psychology, even if its proponents do not specifically call themselves positive psychologists, can be recommended to put this book on their wish lists.”

Reference Reviews

“…an excellent component of a positive psychology reference collection for both beginning and advanced students. Summing Up: Essential.”

Choice