Springer Positive Psychology: Advances in Understanding Adult Motivation

Positive Psychology and Adult Motivation examines the cognitions, traits, and contexts of behavior that are associated with optimal development and resilience through the entire life course. The book investigates the personal psychological development through the stages of emerging adulthood, full adulthood, middle age, and old age as individuals and how they respond positively to them. It explores which traits are needed and which aspects of the environment help a person to truly flourish, thrive and grow. The volume describes the development of resilience as well as other characteristics that will assist individuals in overcoming challenges through adult development. Review From the reviews:“This substantial and informative volume, edited by Jan Sinnott, is best suited to academics, practitioners, and others familiar with research in the field and related areas. It consists of 19 chapters divided into four parts: Positive Subjective Experiences, Positive Personality Traits, Positive Environments, and Learning to Thrive During Adulthood. The contributing authors examine many of positive psychology’s current foci, including optimal development, flourishing, and resilience throughout the stages of life.” (Debbie Joffe Ellis, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 59 (14), April, 2014)“It’s a useful first and second look at Positive Psychology. Not light reading, but clearly useful for those interested in positive psychology. … I found it an exciting addition to my bookshelf and definitely one I will share with my psychology students.” (CouragePsyc, couragepsyc.blogspot.com.au, March, 2014) From the Back Cover The study of Positive Psychology brings a much needed fresh emphasis to the study of the cognition, personality traits, and contexts of behavior that are associated with optimal development during the life course.  The field highlights the ways in which growth, hope, and resilience aid a person and motivate him or her in dealing with the inevitable challenges of life. Positive Psychology: Advances in Understanding Adult Motivation examines the traits and contexts of behavior that are associated with optimal development and resilience over the life course. The volume investigates individual psychological development through the stages of emerging adulthood, full adulthood, middle age, and old age.  It explores which personality traits and which aspects of the environment help a person to flourish, thrive, and grow. Moreover, the volume describes the development of resilience as well as other characteristics that will assist individuals in overcoming challenges throughout adult development.Accordingly, the chapters in this book each speak to one of the major portions of adult life that can be addressed in new ways by means of the relatively new discipline of Positive Psychology. The case studies are drawn from the entire field of Positive Psychology, from acceptance to teaching Positive Psychology, divided into four organizational and theoretical subsections about research and scholarship related to the creation or existence of:                -positive subjective experiences;                -positive personality traits;                -positive environments; and                -learning to thrive during adulthood. This book will serve as an indispensable reference for both academics and practitioners who are using a positive psychology approach in their daily practice. About the Author Jan D. Sinnott, PHD, is a Professor of Psychology at Towson University in Baltimore, MD. She specializes in Lifespan Positive Development and the applications of existential, transpersonal, mind-body and positive psychology.  After completing a Postdoc at the National Institute on Aging, she developed her theory of Complex Problem Solving in the second half of life, and has authored or co-authored over 100 scholarly and applied books and other publications. Her research team is currently studying Complex Pr