Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths

Written by two leaders of the positive psychology initiative, this groundbreaking new text brings positive social science to life through a comprehensive review of literature and well-crafted exercises that encourage readers to put positive psychology principles to the test. Positive Psychology: Scientific and Practical Applications of Human Strengths covers western and eastern approaches to understanding human strengths, along with the cultural and developmental influences on positive functioning. Key approaches for measuring and enhancing strengths and capitalizing on positive experiences are described.

• Provides an in-depth discussion of science and applications associated with human strengths and positive emotions
• Offers contents developed in coordination with syllabus recommendations being formulated by the Positive Psychology Network national task force
• Includes pedagogical features such as chapter-opening quotes and introductions, over 50 case histories and special comments by leaders in the field, and Personal Mini-Experiments and Life Enhancement Strategies

Instructors′ Resources on CD-ROM!

Instructors′ Resources on CD-ROM available to qualified adopters of this text. These include a test bank with 40-50 questions per chapter; a two-page study guide chapter outline; two critical thinking questions; and suggestions on how to best use the mini-experiments from the book in the classroom with students. 

Intended Audience: This text is ideal for courses in Positive Psychology, Personal Growth, Humanistic Psychology, and Adjustment in psychology departments.

C. R. Snyder, PhD (deceased), was the Wright Distinguished Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. Internationally known for his work at the interface of clinical, social, personality, and health psychology, his theories pertained to how people react to personal feedback, the human need for uniqueness, the ubiquitous drive to excuse transgressions, and, most recently, the hope motive. He received 31 research awards and 27 teaching awards at the university, state, and national levels. In 2005, he received an honorary doctorate from Indiana Wesleyan University. Snyder appeared many times on national American television shows, and he was a regular contributor to National Public Radio. His scholarly work on the human need for uniqueness received the rare recognition of being the subject matter of an entire Sunday cartoon sequence by Garry Trudeau. All of these accomplishments were packaged in a graying and self-effacing absent-minded professor who said of himself, “If you don’t laugh at yourself, you have missed the biggest joke of all!”

Shane J. Lopez, PhD (deceased), was a Gallup Senior Scientist and Research Director of the Clifton Strengths Institute. Dr. Lopez published more than 100 articles and chapters and 10 books in addition to Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths. These include Making Hope Happen, his first trade book; The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (with C. R. Snyder); Positive Psychological Assessment: A Handbook of Models and Measures (with C. R. Snyder); Positive Psychology: Exploring the Best in People; The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology; and The Psychology of Courage: Modern Research on an Ancient Virtue (with Cynthia Pury). Dr. Lopez was a fellow of the American Psychological Association and of the International Positive Psychology Association. A professor at the University of Kansas in both the Schools of Education and Business for more than a decade, he passed away on July 23, 2016.