Positive Psychology ─ A Critical Introduction

Happiness is fundamental to how we live our lives, but the meaning of happiness remains as contentious as it did when it was first debated thousands of years ago.

Taking a critical approach to the subject, Positive Psychology investigates the debates that have shaped the psychological discussion of happiness, from theories of well-being to examining how psychotherapy can help foster positive mental health. Offering contrasting perspectives on each topic and examining a range of classic and contemporary research, this book encourages you to engage with positive psychology in a critical way while considering how the theory applies to our everyday lives.

Whether you are new to the subject or want to develop your understanding of the complexities of the field, this lively and engaging introduction will enhance your knowledge not just of positive psychology, but of what happiness and well-being mean to you.

Giovanni B. Moneta is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at London Metropolitan University, UK. He conducts research in the area of personality psychology and individual differences with a focus on motivation, emotion and culture, and has published in journals such as Journal of Personality and The Leadership Quarterly.