Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2014 Edition

“The essays in this intriguing and timely volume present a broad overview of contemporary theorizing and empirical work regarding meaning and purpose in life from two distinct intellectual perspectives: positive psychology and existential psychology. … Taken as a whole, this welcome work offers much that is of tangible benefit to the psychological theorist, researcher, and clinical practitioner, particularly those interested in broadening their conceptual and practical horizons in unexpected directions.” (Edwin E. Gantt, Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, Vol. 36 (1), 2016)

“In this context, Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology is valuable not only in content, but also a model for bringing together in dialogue and collaboration two schools of psychology that have a history of conflict. The contributorsto this volume do not idealistically look to unify existential and positive psychology by oversimplifying or dodging the differences and debates; rather, they take seriously and honor differences in a constructive manner. The primary emphasis of the text is on what these two schools can learn from each other and how they can work together. Some chapters accomplish this better than others, as would be expected in a book with 21 chapters and over 400 pages. Yet, the overall tone of the book is one of collaboration and respect…Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology will help bridge the divide and promote a more collaborative relationship. If the book does nothing more than accomplish this, it would be an extremely important contribution. However, the book has much more to offer. This volume is an important contribution and important read for anyone interested in existential psychology, positive psychology, and/or the study and application of meaning.”
Louis HoffmanPsycCRITIQUES, December 22, 2014, Vol. 59, No. 51, Article 8

“This volume, Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology is a timely and engaging exploration of these contrasting, but potentially reconcilable, orientations. It raises questions that have wide ranging academic, clinical and personal significance… a volume such as this, written by some of the most influential figures in positive psychology, is very much welcomed. But it also gives equal voice to the existentialists and this is where the volume has a distinctive strength”
– From the Foreword by Professor Brian R. Little, Ph.D. C.Psychol. FBPsS, Distinguished Scholar, Department of Psychology and Fellow, Well-Being Institute, Cambridge University

Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2014 Edition presents a broad overview of contemporary empirical research and theoretical work on the meaning/purpose in life construct from two perspectives – Positive psychology and Existential psychology. Although they may have common ground, these perspectives have onlyrecently come into fruitful dialogue. They may, in fact, be viewed as more complementary than strictly opposing. Positive psychology’s focus on human strengths tends to emphasize the brighter side of human functioning, whereas existential psychology, traditionally, tends to address the more unsettling aspects of human existence, such as guilt, suffering, and mortality. Despite their different approaches, both positive and existential psychology have come to view meaning and meaning awareness as central psychological (and philosophical) factors, relevant both for human striving and for human coping.

Written by an international and interdisciplinary assembly of leading researchers in existential and positive psychology and related disciplines, this book includes twenty-one chapters on current trends and topics in meaning oriented clinical and theoretical psychology. Among the topics covered:

A dialogue between positive and existential psychology on:

• Conceptualizations of meaning
• Clinical utilizations of meaning
• Meaning – Oriented
• Meaning and mortality
• Meaning and challenging life events
• Benefits of meaning-oriented living
• Meaning and existential anxiety

Intellectually rich and empirically robust, Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2014 Edition is breakthrough reading for instructors and students, psychotherapists, clinical, social, existential, and positive psychologists and psychiatrists, philosophers, and interested general readers.