Happiness and well-being in positive psychology: An evaluation and examination with a focus on the virtues of gratitude and hope

Liz Gulliford*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

This chapter begins with a short introduction to the relatively new field of positive psychology. The promotion of happiness and wellbeing are central to positive psychology, which advocates ways of boosting ‘positive’ emotions to promote feeling good, as well as taking a broader understanding of a life well lived. As a human science, psychology tends to explain human behaviour at the individual level. Does positive psychology similarly lean towards an individualistic understanding of the human person? Since wellbeing is both a collective and individual concept, we examine whether both poles are adequately represented in the field.

In the second part of the chapter, we focus on two key topics. Gratitude and hope are pivotal concepts in positive psychology, and both have demonstrable effects on wellbeing. In this section we compare the emphasis of a positive psychological understanding of these virtues with a Christian appreciation of them. We also consider how suffering is viewed in relation to happiness in positive psychology, drawing on the concept of ‘post-traumatic growth’ to examine the presence of redemptive sequences within the struggles of human life.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationReligious and Non-Religious Perspectives on Happiness and Wellbeing
EditorsSharada Sugirtharajah
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter2
Pages17-34
Number of pages18
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781003045540, 9781000556278
ISBN (Print)9780367485733, 9781032224275
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Apr 2022

Publication series

NameRoutledge Studies in Religion
PublisherRoutledge

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 selection and editorial matter, Sharada Sugirtharajah; individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Arts and Humanities
  • General Psychology

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