I bought this book for one of my psychology classes in undergrad. I still keep it on my coffee table now, years later as a conversation piece and to occasionally glance at when bored.
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A Primer in Positive Psychology (Oxford Positive Psychology Series) Paperback – 27 July 2006
by
Christopher Peterson
(Author)
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Positive psychology is the scientific study of what goes right in life, from birth to death and at all stops in between. It is a newly-christened approach within psychology that takes seriously the examination of that which makes life most worth living. Everyone's life has peaks and valleys, and positive psychology does not deny the valleys. Its signature premise is more nuanced, but nonetheless important: what is good about life is as genuine as what is bad and, therefore, deserves equal attention from psychologists. Positive psychology as an explicit perspective has existed only since 1998, but enough relevant theory and research now exist to fill a textbook suitable for a semester-long college course.A Primer in Positive Psychology is thoroughly grounded in scientific research and covers major topics of concern to the field: positive experiences such as pleasure and flow; positive traits such as character strengths, values, and talents; and the social institutions that enable these subjects as well as what recent research might contribute to this knowledge. Every chapter contains exercises that illustrate positive psychology, a glossary, suggestions of articles and books for further reading, and lists of films, websites, and popular songs that embody chapter themes.A comprehensive overview of positive psychology by one of the acknowledged leaders in the field, this textbook provides students with a thorough introduction to an important area of psychology.
- ISBN-100195188330
- ISBN-13978-0195188332
- EditionFirst Edition
- PublisherOxford University Press, U.S.A.
- Publication date27 July 2006
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions25.25 x 17.88 x 1.96 cm
- Print length400 pages
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Product description
Review
"Chris Peterson, one of the founding fathers of Positive Psychology, has written a wonderfully engaging and deeply stimulating introduction to this swiftly growing field. Intellectual history is interwoven with data, research findings with backstage gossip, to produce a delightful classic." -- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Director, Quality of Life Research Center and C.S. and D.J. Davidson Professor, Peter F. Drucker School of Management, Claremont Graduate University"This excellent text gives readers a clear and interesting introduction to the field of positive psychology. Students will find the book easy to read, yet informative, and others can read the book because it covers fascinating material that is relevant to living a successful life." --Ed Diener, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Editor, Perspectives on Psychological Science, and Journal of Happiness Studies"This is the definitive textbook in Positive Psychology. But more than that, it may be the single best textbook on any subject that I have ever read. It's fun to read and it's authoritative-written as it is by one of the main investigators in the field. I can't remember reading a textbook before that both made me laugh out loud and brought tears to my eyes." --Martin E.P. Seligman, Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, and Director, Positive Psychology Center"Peterson offers his readers a marvelous blend of lucidity, originality, humor, kindness and scholarship. This is a book that should entice many thousands of readers into a lifetime of interest in psychology." --George Vaillant, Senior hysician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School"This is a splendid book that presents the principles of positive psychology in a very understandable way. The exercises are well done and bring the material to life. This is a wonderful volume in the Oxford publishing tradition. It challenges the reader to see clients in a new way which will enhance psychological growth. As clinicians, we tend to focus on pathology, but positive psychology helps us to look beyond the obvious difficulties and see potential. Psychologists and psychology students need to be inspired; this book will do that and more."--Doody's"Peterson moves gracefully, with gravitas and humor, and provides an honest account on positive psychology. Peterson provides a good overview of research findings on important themes...he also does a fine job of critical evaluation in many subdomains of psychological science...an excellent introduction to the area of positive psychology."--PsycCRITIQUES"No one teaching, studying or intending to teach or study positive psychology should walk past this book...A masterful storyteller, [Peterson] leads the reader through the history, discoveries, victories, pitfalls and unresolved issues in positive psychology. One of the greatest virtues of the book is that it is full of personal examples and sometimes even a bit of professional gossip, giving it almost a novelistic read. Yet, a serious scholarly rigor is fully preserved - hundreds of research findings are presented in a clear, logical and engaging fashion."--Psychology Teaching Review
Review
""Chris Peterson, one of the founding fathers of Positive Psychology, has written a wonderfully engaging and deeply stimulating introduction to this swiftly growing field. Intellectual history is interwoven with data, research findings with backstage gossip, to produce a delightful classic." -- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Director, Quality of Life Research Center and C.S. and D.J. Davidson Professor, Peter F. Drucker School of Management, Claremont Graduate University" ""This excellent text gives readers a clear and interesting introduction to the field of positive psychology. Students will find the book easy to read, yet informative, and others can read the book because it covers fascinating material that is relevant to living a successful life." --Ed Diener, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Editor, Perspectives on Psychological Science, and Journal of Happiness Studies" ""This is the definitive textbook in Positive Psychology. But more than that, it may be the single best textbook on any subject that I have ever read. It's fun to read and it's authoritative-written as it is by one of the main investigators in the field. I can't remember reading a textbook before that both made me laugh out loud and brought tears to my eyes." --Martin E.P. Seligman, Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, and Director, Positive Psychology Center" ""Peterson offers his readers a marvelous blend of lucidity, originality, humor, kindness and scholarship. This is a book that should entice many thousands of readers into a lifetime of interest in psychology." --George Vaillant, Senior Physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School" ""Peterson offers his readers a marvelous blend of lucidity, originality, humor, kindness and scholarship. This is a book that should entice many thousands of readers into a lifetime of interest in psychology." --George Vaillant, Senior Physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School" "The book is entertaining and accessible. It constitutes a valuable resource for introducing positive psychology to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as anyone interested in the subject." - Toni Brennan, Psychology Learning and Teaching, August 2007
Book Description
A comprehensive overview by an acclaimed leader in the field of positive psychology.
From the Publisher
Christopher Peterson has been at the University of Michigan since 1986. He is Professor of Psychology, the former director of clinical training, and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, awarded in recognition of his accomplishments as an undergraduate instructor. Peterson is a member of the Positive Psychology Steering Committee, a consulting editor of the Journal of Positive Psychology, and a Templeton Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center. He took the lead in creating the Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Strengths, the most ambitious research project to date explicitly undertaken from a positive psychology perspective. Co-author of Character Strengths and Virtues (OUP 2004), Peterson is among the world's 100 most-frequently cited psychologists during the past 20 years and has long-standing research interests in optimism, health, character, and well-being.
About the Author
Christopher Peterson has been at the University of Michigan since 1986. He is Professor of Psychology, the former director of clinical training, and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, awarded in recognition of his accomplishments as an undergraduate instructor. Peterson is a member of the Positive Psychology Steering Committee, a consulting editor of the Journal of Positive Psychology, and a Templeton Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center. He took the lead in creating the Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Strengths, the most ambitious research project to date explicitly undertaken from a positive psychology perspective. Co-author of Character Strengths and Virtues (OUP 2004), Peterson is among the world's 100 most-frequently cited psychologists during the past 20 years and has long-standing research interests in optimism, health, character, and well-being.
Product details
- Publisher : Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
- Publication date : 27 July 2006
- Edition : First Edition
- Language : English
- Print length : 400 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0195188330
- ISBN-13 : 978-0195188332
- Item weight : 703 g
- Dimensions : 25.25 x 17.88 x 1.96 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 227,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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- AuzReviewed in Canada on 20 July 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Still the gold standard
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis is becoming an older textbook now but it is still the gold standard for an intro to positive psychology (PP). Chris Peterson does an amazing job at introducing the reader to the history, current state, and future direction of PP. He weaves interesting stories into the text so the reader is interested throughout. As a 3rd year psychology student, I found that it was a pleasant textbook to read, cover to cover. I would highly recommend this for an intro textbook.
Christopher Peterson will be sorely missed in the PP world. RIP.
- Helen GordonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 November 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars Positive Psychology
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis book is a great reference for learning and researching Positive Psychology. Some chapters are easier to digest than others if you can get past the references to foreign researchers throughout the text.
- Brock H.Reviewed in the United States on 8 November 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars A Comprehensive and Inspiring Guide to Positive Psychology
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI read A Primer in Positive Psychology by Chris Peterson, and I must say, it is an outstanding book. Peterson, an award-winning professor of psychology, provides a comprehensive overview of positive psychology, offering valuable insights on how to live a happier and more fulfilling life. The book is filled with theory, case studies, and practical exercises that can be applied to one's own life. What I loved most about this book is that it is not just for academic purposes, but it is also highly relatable and applicable to everyday life. Peterson's writing style is engaging and down-to-earth, making it feel like you're having a conversation with him. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of positive psychology and learn how to maximize their potential for happiness. It truly is a game-changer.