A Primer in Positive Psychology: Book Review

28 April, 2012

The book 'A Primer in Positive Psychology' is an introductory book written in a style that integrates the emergent technical subject of positive psychology in an enjoyable reading style, and is punctuated with jokes and humour.

AUTHORED BY Christopher Peterson, the book describes positive psychology as a scientific study of what goes right in life and exploring and building on the emotions that which make life most worth living. Supported by scientific evidences, the book covers major concepts like pleasure and flow as well as positive traits such as personal strengths, values, and talents.

The book published by the Oxford University Press, is divided into chapters with practical exercises, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading included in each one of them. Positive psychology is a recent field of Psychology which took off in 1998 and Peterson is one of its pioneers and founding fathers. But the book written by him provides an easy lucid reading that is relevant to living a meaningful life.

The book, spread into 400-odd pages, is full of real-life examples and along with scholastic accounts giving it a touch of a novelistic and popular read. The central themes of positive psychology, including optimism, happiness, hope, perseverence, creativity, and wisdom are well-covered in the book.

Christopher Peterson, who is one of most frequently cited psychologists has been researching extensively in the areas of positive psychology like optimism and well-being, has indeed come out with a good primer in positive psychology. And, it is a must read for educators, teachers and psychologists.