Christopher Peterson's "Primer for Positive Psychology"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Christopher Peterson in "Primer for Positive Psychology" not only attempts to define positive psychology but also shows how it can be applied to a person's daily life and how it is instrumental in the understanding of happiness. The author points out that the initial purpose of Peterson's narrative is to explain how positive psychology evolved from the primary study of social and cognitive psychology. The paper relates that Peterson makes clear that, while traditional psychology has focused on illness, positive psychology takes a "longitudinal" approach to the examination of happiness and well-being.

From the Paper:

"Within Peterson's analysis he attempts to adopt a mediation and unity between the new field of positive psychology and social psychology. He specifically identifies several theories and relationships found in both fields. One of these fields is the understanding that "close social relationships are essential to well-being". Research into the field of human interactions and social dissonance has shown that social relationships are one of the strongest correlates to positive emotions. This is one of the primary mechanisms by which individuals can achieve a positive state of mind."

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