Multicultural Perspectives in Counseling: Applying Positive Psychology to the Optimal Functioning of Ethnic Minorities From Childhood to Adulthood

PsycCRITIQUES ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (29) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sussie Eshun ◽  
Sangeetha Nayak
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Multicultural Perspectives

Hope in Cognitive Psychotherapies: On Working With Client Strengths

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Cheavens ◽  
David B. Feldman ◽  
Julia T. Woodward ◽  
C. R. Snyder
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Cognitive Therapy ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Psychological Disorders ◽  
Symptom Reduction ◽  
Hope Theory ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Therapies ◽  
Client Strengths ◽  
Definition Of

The field of psychology, which is traditionally rooted in the study and treatment of psychological disorders and pathology, recently has begun to embrace an examination of individual, as well as societal, strengths and virtues. This subspecialty within psychology, known as positive psychology, can be defined as the attempt to understand the characteristics and processes that contribute to optimal functioning, flourishing, and resiliency. The purpose of the present article is to draw a link between traditional psychology and positive psychology using the example of the positive psychological construct of hope. Specifically, we explore the ways in which hope theory can be incorporated into traditional forms of cognitive therapy for symptom reduction and elimination. First, the theory of hope (Snyder, 1994) is introduced and the concept of hopeful thought is defined. Next, we explore the distinction between Snyder’s definition of hope and Beck’s definition of hopelessness (Beck, Weissman, Lester, & Trexler, 1974). Finally, we present possible strategies for utilizing hope concepts in cognitive therapies. Studying individuals with high levels of hope has resulted in a wealth of information about the ways these individuals overcome obstacles and find multiple ways to the goals that they have set for themselves. Integrating these lessons into empirically based treatments for symptom reduction is likely to result in a synergy that utilizes the most sound aspects of both traditional psychology and positive psychology.

scholarly journals Impact of Educational Programs That Include Elements of Positive Psychology for Developing the Emotional Competences of the Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Marija Kotevska Dimovska
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Educational Climate

<p><em>Modern education consider</em><em>s</em><em> </em><em>schools and faculties for institutions whose goals have a broader scope than </em><em>just an </em><em>academic competence. Educational institutions have an obligation to</em><em> completely </em><em>prepare young people for adulthood and improve their optimal functioning and well</em><em> being</em><em>. This paper shows how the application of the positive psychology in the education can help schools and faculties to develop and maintain optim</em><em>al</em><em> functioning of the students and </em><em>the </em><em>employees. Educational institutions should approach</em><em> strategically</em><em> in the creation of positive educational programs that include elements of positive psychology, which positively reflects on the well-being and positive educational climate.</em><em> </em><em>The empirical findings of </em><em>this paper</em><em> confirm the role of positive psychology in education </em><em>for</em><em> improving the subjective dimensions of students: happiness, optimism, self-confidence, social and emotional competence. Students who att</em><em>ended</em><em> educational programs with elements of positive psychology</em><em>,</em><em> have shown higher personal, emotional, social achievements and general well-being, which</em><em> are prerequisites</em><em> for realizing their potential. These findings imply the need to expand the arsenal of education through a positive education that includes the development of positive emotions that promote happiness and well-being.</em><em></em></p>

scholarly journals Building Positive Organizations: A Typology of Positive Psychology Interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne van Woerkom
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Structural Interventions ◽  
Positive Psychology Interventions ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Individual

Research indicates that Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) in the work context have a small positive impact on improving desirable work outcomes, and a small to moderate effect on reducing undesirable work outcomes, suggesting that the effects of PPIs are not trivial, but also not large. Whereas this may be related to the difficulty of changing oneself or one’s happiness levels, the relatively small effects of PPIs may also be due to the predominant use of one-off interventions instead of more structural interventions that reflect policy level commitment. Furthermore, since most PPIs tend to focus on the individual, one could question the long-term effectiveness of such interventions, especially when the work environment remains unchanged. In this manuscript, I introduce a typology of PPIs in organizations by distinguishing between the organizational level they target (the individual or group level), and between one-off and structural interventions. I argue that different types of interventions can strengthen each other, and that to make a sustainable contribution to the optimal functioning of workers, PPIs need to comprise a wide variety of one-off and structural interventions targeting both individuals and groups in organizations. Furthermore, I make suggestions for improving the long-term effectiveness of PPIs by drawing on the literature on transfer of training, nudging, and positive design.

What (and Why) is Positive Psychology?

2005 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly L. Gable ◽  
Jonathan Haidt
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Current Work ◽  
Relative Lack ◽  
Optimal Functioning

Positive psychology is the study of the conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people, groups, and institutions. In this brief introduction, the authors give examples of current work in positive psychology and try to explain why the positive psychology movement has grown so quickly in just 5 years. They suggest that it filled a need: It guided researchers to understudied phenomena. The authors close by addressing some criticisms and shortcomings of positive psychology, such as the relative lack of progress in studying positive institutions.

The Unique Contribution of Positive Orientation to Optimal Functioning

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Alessandri ◽  
Gian Vittorio Caprara ◽  
John Tisak
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Critical Component ◽  
Positive Orientation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Mode ◽  
Optimal Functioning

Literature documents that the judgments people hold about themselves, their life, and their future are important ingredients of their psychological functioning and well-being, and are commonly related to each other. In this paper, results from a large cross-sectional sample (N = 1,331, 48% males) are presented attesting to the hypothesis that evaluations about oneself, one’s life, and one’s future rest on a common mode of viewing experiences named “Positive Orientation.” These results corroborate the utility of the new construct as a critical component of individuals’ well functioning.

The need for a principle-based positive psychology.

2001 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Kelley
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology
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