MatthewMcDonald,MichaelWearing

Positive Psychology and its Discontents: Why Positive Psychology Fails and How it Might Succeed Again

Positive Psychology and its Discontents: Why Positive Psychology Fails and How it Might Succeed Again

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  • More about Positive Psychology and its Discontents: Why Positive Psychology Fails and How it Might Succeed Again

Positive psychology has faced criticism for being philosophically naive, employing natural science research methods, taking a separatist stance, and being too closely aligned with mainstream US values, beliefs, and politics. A new book offers an alternative, more inclusive vision that proposes a more productive dialogue with other branches of psychology and the social sciences to better understand the varying sociocultural contexts that influence and shape people's ability to lead happy, meaningful lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd


Positive psychology has gained widespread popularity, but it has also faced criticism from various quarters. Some of the main concerns include the philosophical naivety of the movement, the uncritical use of natural science research methods, the separatist stance, the failure to acknowledge its theoretical antecedents, and the close alignment with mainstream US values, beliefs, and politics. In response to these concerns, Positive Psychology and its Discontents offers the first book-length critique of the field and proposes an alternative, more inclusive vision.

At present, positive psychology views other strands of knowledge as adversarial counter-ideologies that it must compete with and ultimately discredit. However, the authors argue that this intellectual dead end can be avoided by engaging in a more productive dialogue with other branches of psychology and the social sciences. This approach would make positive psychology more philosophically informed and better able to understand the varying sociocultural contexts that influence and shape people's ability to lead happy, meaningful lives.

The book will be of interest to students and researchers in psychology and its allied subject areas, as well as to interested practitioners within the fields of psychology, mental health, healthcare, education, and social work. It provides a critical analysis of the current state of positive psychology and offers a roadmap for moving forward in a more inclusive and effective direction.

One of the key criticisms of positive psychology is that it is philosophically naive. The movement often assumes that happiness is a universal goal that can be achieved through a set of universal principles and practices. However, this assumption is problematic for several reasons. First, it ignores the fact that different cultures have different values and beliefs about happiness, and that these values and beliefs can shape people's experiences and perspectives. Second, it assumes that happiness is a static state that can be achieved once and for all, rather than a dynamic process that can be influenced by a variety of factors over time.

To address these criticisms, Positive Psychology and its Discontents proposes a more nuanced and complex understanding of happiness. The authors argue that happiness is not just a matter of individual feelings and experiences, but is also shaped by social, cultural, and environmental factors. They suggest that positive psychology should focus on promoting well-being rather than happiness, and that this can be achieved by promoting social connections, reducing stress, and increasing resilience.

Another criticism of positive psychology is that it uncritically employs natural science research methods. The movement often relies on studies that use quantitative methods to measure happiness and other psychological outcomes. While these methods can be useful, they can also be limited in their ability to capture the complexity and richness of human experience. The authors argue that positive psychology should incorporate more qualitative methods, such as interviews, case studies, and ethnography, to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and perspectives of individuals.

To address this criticism, Positive Psychology and its Discontents proposes a more interdisciplinary approach to research. The authors suggest that positive psychology should work closely with other fields, such as sociology, anthropology, and economics, to gain a better understanding of the social and economic factors that influence happiness. They also suggest that positive psychology should be more open to the use of qualitative methods, such as interviews and case studies, to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and perspectives of individuals.

Another criticism of positive psychology is that it takes a separatist stance. The movement often focuses on individual happiness and well-being, and ignores the broader social and political context in which people live. The authors argue that positive psychology should be more inclusive and should recognize the importance of social justice and social change. They suggest that positive psychology should work to promote social justice and social change by promoting empathy, compassion, and social responsibility.

To address this criticism, Positive Psychology and its Discontents proposes a more inclusive and collaborative approach to research. The authors suggest that positive psychology should work with communities and organizations to develop and implement programs that promote social justice and social change. They also suggest that positive psychology should be more open to the use of qualitative methods, such as interviews and case studies, to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and perspectives of individuals.

Finally, Positive Psychology and its Discontents argues that positive psychology is too closely aligned with mainstream US values, beliefs, and politics. The movement often promotes a narrow and conservative view of the world, and ignores the diversity and complexity of human experience. The authors argue that positive psychology should be more open to the diversity of human experience and should be more willing to challenge dominant ideologies.

To address this criticism, Positive Psychology and its Discontents proposes a more critical and reflective approach to research. The authors suggest that positive psychology should be more open to the critique of its own assumptions and practices, and should be more willing to engage in dialogue with other fields and perspectives. They also suggest that positive psychology should be more willing to address the social and political issues that affect people's lives, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

In conclusion, Positive Psychology and its Discontents offers a critical analysis of the current state of positive psychology and proposes an alternative, more inclusive vision. The book provides a critical analysis of the philosophical naivety, uncritical use of natural science research methods, separatist stance, failure to acknowledge its theoretical antecedents, and close alignment with mainstream US values, beliefs, and politics of the field. It suggests that positive psychology should focus on promoting well-being rather than happiness, incorporate more qualitative methods, be more interdisciplinary, take a more inclusive and collaborative approach to research, and be more critical and reflective. The book will be of interest to students and researchers in psychology and its allied subject areas, as well as to interested practitioners within the fields of psychology, mental health, healthcare, education, and social work.


Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138123489

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