“Positive psychology”: Some plusses and some open issues
- 31 May 2002
- journal article
- editorial
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Community Psychology
- Vol. 30 (4) , 449-460
- https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.10014
Abstract
This commentary considers aspects of the recent American Psychologist Special Issue (SI) on “Positive Psychology.” Strong points of this new thrust include: (a) a focal concern with insufficiencies in the current medical model in mental health; (b) a core focus on positive outcomes; and (c) the belief that such outcomes may, in the long run, be the most efficacious way of reducing psychological dysfunction.The approach's major current limitations include: (a) its relative insulation from closely related prior work in primary prevention and wellness enhancement; (b) its lack of a cohesive undergirding theoretical framework; and (c) its prime adult, cross‐sectional approach, which does not sufficiently reflect key life history and developmental pathways and determinants of specific positive outcomes. The movement's wholesome future development stands to profit from careful attention to these lacunae.Keywords
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