Positive psychology: How to live the good life

Abstract

Chapter 15 begins by exploring the historical origins and definition of Positive Psychology, with a specific focus on its three pillars: positive experiences, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. The chapter delves into the connection between positive psychology and various worldviews such as Confucianism, Taoism, and collectivism. The chapter introduces two major theories of well-being, namely the PERMA model and the Broaden-and-Build Theory. It proceeds to discuss classification of positive individual traits, with a specific emphasis on the VIA classification of character strengths. Several character strengths, including gratitude, hope, and forgiveness, are discussed in detail, with attention to cultural differences in understanding these strengths. In the last section of this chapter, recent developments in strength-based interventions are explored, particularly their efficacy across cultures.