Based on the first Summit of Positive Psychology, this book puts flesh on the emerging field of positive psychology. The text turns from psychology’s pre-occupation with mental illness to mental health. Unapologetically scholars discuss ‘the good life’ or flourishing. Cogent arguments are made for: resilience, optimism, enjoyment, meaning, goals, virtue, hope, creativity, genius, wisdom, work, play, and relationships.

Clinicians will appreciate the books professional and personal applications. The conceptual and practical groundwork is laid for interventions of the therapeutic kind, or the more personal challenges of one’s own, well-lived life.

Educational Objectives

• Have a greater appreciation of the concepts of ‘flourishing’ and of 'languishing'
• Appreciate what is gained and lost by the mental health community’s traditional focus on illness, problems, and weakness
• Have a more complete understanding of the beneficial effects of optimism, hope, well-being, goals, and the gratification of work and play
• Understand resilience and protective factors which encourage recovery from setbacks and adversity
• Possess a greater understanding of the benefits of looking beyond oneself in the quest to find a more meaningful life
• Have an increased appreciation for the current focus on mental health and flourishing

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The book is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.

Additional Resources On This Site for CE

• Learned Optimism
  by Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD: 9 CE Credits
• The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice (Fifth Edition)
  by Dennis Saleebey: 8 CE Credits
• Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: The Wisdom of Psychotherapy
  by Robert W. Firestone, PhD, Lisa A. Firestone, PhD, Joyce Catlett, MA: 15 CE Credits
• Authentic Happiness
  by Martin E. P. Seligman: 10 CE Credits
• Caring for Ourselves: A Therapist's Guide to Personal & Prof. Well-Being
  By Ellen K. Baker: 6 CE Credits
• To Be Told: Know Your Story, Shape Your Future
  by Dr. Dan Allender: 7 CE Credits

Additional Resources Not On This Site

• Visit Jonathan Haidt’s Home Page http://wsrv.clas.virginia.edu/~jdh6n/
• Positive Psychology Center, Martin E.P.Seligman http://www.positivepsychology.org/
• Positive Psychological Assessment: A Handbook of Models and Measures, edited by Shane J. Lopez and C.R. Snyder, APA,2003
• Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification Edited by Christopher Peterson and Martin E.P. Seligman,APA, 2004
• A Psychology of Human Strengths: Fundamental Questions and Future Directions for a positive Psychology, Edited by Lisa G. Aspinwall and Ursla M. Staudinger, APA, 2003

Bio: Corey L. M. Keyes and Jonathan Haidt

Corey L. M. Keyes, PhD is a social psychologist receiving his doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is on the faculty of Emory University, holding dual appointments in the Departments of Sociology and in the Behavioral Sciences and Health Education of the Rollins School of Public Health.

His research focuses on the domains of successful human development and aging and the diagnosis and etiology of mental health and illness. Dr. Keyes is active in the Positive Psychology Network, the Society for the Study of Human Development and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Research Network on Successful Midlife Development.

Jonathan Haidt, PhD is a social and cultural psychologist on the faculty at the University of Virginia. He received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania completing postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago and in Orissa, India. His interest has changed from focusing on the negative moral emotions to research on the positive moral emotions such as elevation, gratitude, admiration and awe. Dr. Haidt received the 2001 Templeton Prize in Positive Psychology.