The Strengths Perspective and Positive Psychology
Positive psychology is the profession of psychology’s version of the Strengths Perspective in social work. It has not been around as long, however, but it is a vigorous attempt to bring some balance to the pathological and deficit orientation of clinical psychology, especially. It begins with a reconstruction of the language of psychology to a more affirmative cast and a foreswearing of the negative ideology, and categories of clinical psychology as they have historically evolved. Behind these changes is the desire to help people optimize their functioning through the mobilizing of their capacities as well as understanding their problems.
Books
Csikszentmihalyi, M., & Csikszentmihalyi,
I. S. (2006). A life worth living: Contributions to positive
psychology. Oxford ; New York: Oxford
University Press.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P.
(2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and
classification. Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association: Oxford
University Press.
Snyder, C. R. (Ed.). (2000). Handbook
of hope: Theory, measures, and applications. San Diego: Academic
Press.
Snyder, C. R., & Lopez, S. J. (Eds.).
(2002). Handbook of positive psychology. NY: Oxford
University Press.
Snyder, C. R., & Lopez, S. J. (2007).
Positive psychology : The scientific and practical explorations of human
strengths. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications.
Book
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Quote
"To be heroic may require an operating fund of self-regard (no matter what your circumstances), support (tangible or moral) of others faith and hope, a viable system of meaning, and a sense of purpose beyond mere self-interest or ego validation."
Dennis Saleebey, Workshop on practicing the Strengths Perspective, 2005.
