Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths - Hardcover

Snyder, Charles Richard; Lopez, Shane J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 076192633X ISBN 13: 9780761926337

Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2006

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author:

C. R. Snyder, Ph.D. (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 have 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 has appeared many times on national American television shows, and he has been 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 Gary Trudeau. All of these accomplishments were packaged in a graying and self-effacing absent-minded professor who says of himself, “If you don’t laugh at yourself, you have missed the biggest joke of all!”

Review:

"There is no single-authored text specifically devoted to positive psychology.  Hence, a book like this is definitely needed.  Positive psychology has become a ‘hot’ topic...Increasingly, more courses are being offered in positive psychology, and the Templeton Foundation even gives an award for the best courses in this area.  In addition, the text can be used in other, more established classes, such as clinical, health, or humanistic psychology.”

Author: Dean K. Simonton Published On: 2006-02-22

“I know that Snyder has been involved in these issues from early on...The likelihood of this ... catching fire is quite good." Author: Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi Published On: 2006-02-22

"The field is ripe for it and the market for it will indeed grow.  Moreover, as leaders in the movement, and as editors of the massive new Handbook of Positive Psychology, they are as well prepared as anyone I can imagine to pull this off.  Add to that Rick Snyder’s record of productivity and his accomplishments as a teacher, and I think you could depend on a timely and first-rate piece of work from them."

Author: David G. Myers Published On: 2006-02-22

“...If I would teach a positive psychology course, this would be my required text.  I know of no other book like it.   It is needed.”

Author: Shelly Gable Published On: 2006-02-22

"This undergraduate text introduces a new field of psychology that emphasizes qualities that make life worthwhile rather than pathologies." Author: SciTech Source: Book News Published On: 2006-12-05

"This is a very "readable" book . . . It was well worth the time spent reading it and I have already incorporated several of the concepts into my work." Author: Deborah Renner Hull Published On: 2006-12-21

"A strength of the present book is that, in comparison to the other available positive psychology texts, this one is the strongest by far in its coverage of cross-cultural issues. The book also is attractive in that it is replete with photographs, charts, tables, and graphs that have both substance and style. The publication of this superb text is an opportunity to reflect on the excellent progress made thus far towards the realization of the agenda envisioned by the positive psychology movement′s founders." Author: Grant J. Rich Source: Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books Published On: 2007-03-30

"Your text goes into much more depth in chapter, in fact in most areas of the book. It backs up what it says with current research, and explains that research so well that I will be able to use it in a community college. It is well written. Even though there are two authors, one can′t tell who wrote which chapters; that is unusual. Finally, it is the best that is out there for a Positive Psychology text; it sets the standard that others should meet." Author: Mike Trent Published On: 2009-10-07

About this edition

• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 076192633X
• ISBN 13: 9780761926337
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 624