Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology

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"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 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 meaningClinical utilizations of meaningMeaning – Oriented Meaning and mortalityMeaning and challenging life eventsBenefits of meaning-oriented livingMeaning and existential anxietyIntellectually rich and empirically robust, Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology is breakthrough reading for instructors and students, psychotherapists, clinical, social, existential, and positive psychologists and psychiatrists, philosophers, and interested general readers.
This book is a first attempt to combine insights from the two perspectives with regard to the question of meaning by examining a collection of theoretical and empirical works. This volume therefore is destined to become an important addition to psychological literature: both from the viewpoint of the history of ideas (again this would be one of the first times that positive and existentialist psychologies meet) and from the viewpoint of theoretical and empirical research into the meaning concept in psychology.
Provides a unique opportunity for discussing important conceptual and empirical issues in both positive and existential psychology fields Stimulates discourse, debate and dialogue on the question of meaning within the frameworks of positive and existential psychology Presents state of the art research and theory of the current interdisciplinary discussion on meaning Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Alexander Batthyany

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Roy Baumeister Viktor Frankl cognitive psychology coping ethereal constructs existential psychology humanistic psychology motivation therapy positive psychology positive psychology movement the contemporary philosophy of mind the notion of meaning

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“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

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