Character Strengths and Virtues

Character Strengths and Virtues
Author: Christopher Peterson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 815
Release: 2004-04-08
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0198037333

"Character" has become a front-and-center topic in contemporary discourse, but this term does not have a fixed meaning. Character may be simply defined by what someone does not do, but a more active and thorough definition is necessary, one that addresses certain vital questions. Is character a singular characteristic of an individual, or is it composed of different aspects? Does character--however we define it--exist in degrees, or is it simply something one happens to have? How can character be developed? Can it be learned? Relatedly, can it be taught, and who might be the most effective teacher? What roles are played by family, schools, the media, religion, and the larger culture? This groundbreaking handbook of character strengths and virtues is the first progress report from a prestigious group of researchers who have undertaken the systematic classification and measurement of widely valued positive traits. They approach good character in terms of separate strengths-authenticity, persistence, kindness, gratitude, hope, humor, and so on-each of which exists in degrees. Character Strengths and Virtues classifies twenty-four specific strengths under six broad virtues that consistently emerge across history and culture: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. Each strength is thoroughly examined in its own chapter, with special attention to its meaning, explanation, measurement, causes, correlates, consequences, and development across the life span, as well as to strategies for its deliberate cultivation. This book demands the attention of anyone interested in psychology and what it can teach about the good life.

Attribution Theory

Attribution Theory
Author: Sandra Graham
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 245
Release: 2014-02-04
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1317784227

This unusual volume begins with a historical overview of the growth of attribution theory, setting the stage for the three broad domains of application that are addressed in the remainder of the book. These include applications to: achievement strivings in the classroom and the sports domain; issues of mental health such as analyses of stress and coping and interpretations of psychotherapy; and personal and business conflict such as buyer- seller disagreement, marital discord, dissension in the workplace, and international strife. Because the chapters in Attribution Theory are more research-based than practice- oriented, this book will be of great interest and value to an audience of applied psychologists.

Handbook of Positive Psychology

Handbook of Positive Psychology
Author: C. R. Snyder
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 849
Release: 2001-12-20
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0198030940

Psychology has long been enamored of the dark side of human existence, rarely exploring a more positive view of the mind. What has psychology contributed, for example, to our understanding of the various human virtues? Regrettably, not much. The last decade, however, has witnessed a growing movement to abandon the exclusive focus on the negative. Psychologists from several subdisciplines are now asking an intriguing question: "What strengths does a person employ to deal effectively with life?" The Handbook of Positive Psychology provides a forum for a more positive view of the human condition. In its pages, readers are treated to an analysis of what the foremost experts believe to be the fundamental strengths of humankind. Both seasoned professionals and students just entering the field are eager to grasp the power and vitality of the human spirit as it faces a multitude of life challenges. The Handbook is the first systematic attempt to bring together leading scholars to give voice to the emerging field of positive psychology.

The Human Pursuit of Well-Being

The Human Pursuit of Well-Being
Author: Ingrid Brdar
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2011-06-16
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 9400713754

This book brings together the latest research on positive psychology from an international cast of researchers and particularly from the growing body of European researchers. The chapters describe research and practice from diverse fields of positive psychology, covering topics such as happiness and well-being, motivation and goals, personality, academic performance and coping, measurement and interventions. The book emphasizes a cultural approach to the human pursuit of well-being. It is unique in that it presents research from a range of cultures, such as Russia, Croatia, and Egypt, in addition to ten different Western cultures. This approach helps broaden our understanding of those aspects of human experience that make life worth living in diverse cultural conditions. The book includes well-known and new authors from the field and contains selected papers that were presented at the 4th European Conference of Positive Psychology held in 2008 in Croatia.

Improving Academic Achievement

Improving Academic Achievement
Author: Joshua Aronson
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 428
Release: 2002-04-15
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780120644551

In this book, authors discuss research and theory on the social psychological forces that shape academic achievement. A key focus is to show how psychological principles can be used to foster achievement and make schooling a more enjoyable process. Topics are highly relevant to both social and educational psychology, with discussions of core concepts such as intelligence, motivation, self-esteem and self-concept, expectations and attributions, prejudice, and interpersonal and intergroup relations.

Introduction to Personality and Intelligence

Introduction to Personality and Intelligence
Author: Nick Haslam
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2007-02-18
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1446230430

`The inclusion of the chapter on psychobiography and life narratives is also an innovative inclusion, as this chapter encourages readers to integrate all the previous material into their analysis of famous people, a technique that will without a doubt have students captivated... an excellent introductory text' - Australian Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology `There is a wonderful balance and clarity in coverage of complex and contentious issues. Throughout, the tone is amiable...the writing engaging and clear" - Dr Robbie Sutton, University of Kent Nick Haslam's highly-anticipated new text is a thoroughly engaging introduction to the psychology of personality and, crucially, intelligence. Fully tailored to the British Psychological Society's guidelines regarding the teaching of individual differences, Introduction to Personality and Intelligence provides the perfect package for any first or second year undergraduate psychology student taking a course in this fascinating subject. Key features: - coverage of all core topics for a personality course - a whole section devoted to intelligence - includes mental disorders and cognitive approaches - focuses on major theoretical issues - presents a good range of applied theory chapters - packed with pedagogical features including: key concept boxes and a full glossary, illustrative case studies, and annotated further reading The author's writing style, use of pedagogy and incorporation of the latest empirical research findings makes Introduction to Personality and Intelligence an essential textbook for all psychology students on a personality or individual differences course. (The author's website can be accessed here)

Learned Helplessness

Learned Helplessness
Author: Christopher Peterson
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 376
Release: 1993
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780195044676

When experience with uncontrollable events gives rise to the expectation that events in the future will also elude control, disruptions in motivation, emotion, and learning may ensue. "Learned helplessness" refers to the problems that arise in the wake of uncontrollability. First described in the 1960s among laboratory animals, learned helplessness has since been applied to a variety of human problems entailing inappropriate passivity and demoralization. While learned helplessness is best known as an explanation of depression, studies with both people and animals have mapped out the cognitive and biological aspects. The present volume, written by some of the most widely recognized leaders in the field, summarizes and integrates the theory, research, and application of learned helplessness. Each line of work is evaluated critically in terms of what is and is not known, and future directions are sketched. More generally, psychiatrists and psychologists in various specialties will be interested in the book's argument that a theory emphasizing personal control is of particular interest in the here and now, as individuality and control are such salient cultural topics.

Researching Mathematics Classrooms

Researching Mathematics Classrooms
Author: Simon Goodchild
Publisher: IAP
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2014-05-14
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1607529556

This book brings together key reports of research, focusing especially on methods and methodology, along with criticism of these reports by other researchers. It presents case studies of small-scale classroom research in mathematics education.