Positive Psychology

John M. Zelenski is a Professor of Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. As a researcher and director of the Carleton University Happiness Laboratory, he studies individual differences in happiness, and how personality manifests itself 'in the moment' as emotional, behavioural, and cognitive processes. John's recent work has focused on two areas: the causes and consequences of social behaviour (e.g., in relation to the personality trait of introversion-extraversion), and the links among nature, people's sense of connection to nature (nature relatedness), happiness, and environmentally sustainable behaviour. John also teaches on a range of Personality, Social and Positive Psychology courses at Carleton.

Part I: Introduction Chapter 1 Describing the Science of Positive Psychology Part II: Happiness and Positive States Chapter 2 Positive Emotions Chapter 3 Happiness Part III: Personality Processes Chapter 4 Personality Chapter 5 The Self Chapter 6 Thinking Part IV: Social, Psychological, and Physical Environments Chapter 7 Social and Physical Environments Chapter 8 Close Relationships Part V: Towards Increasing Positivity Chapter 9 Stability and Change Chapter 10 Looking Forward

The book starts with consideration of what Positive Psychology actually means. This is followed by chapters addressing happiness, emotions, environments and the future - for us as psychologists and the science. I particularly liked the highlighting of areas of deficiency in research so far, signposting areas where today's students can innovate and explore. It would seem the time is right for a more current teaching text and I found this book to be insightful and inspiring. -- Stuart Hillston