Character strengths matter : how to live a full life PDF
Preview Character strengths matter : how to live a full life
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY NEWS SERIES Character Strengths Matter How to Live a Full Life Edited by Shannon Polly, MAPP and Kathryn Britton, MAPP In Loving Memory This book is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Peterson (1950-2012), our mentor and inspiration in the exploration of character strengths. Christopher Peterson was the Arthur F. Thurnau professor of psychology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He was science director of the VIA Institute on Character and coauthor of Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. One of the founders of positive psychology, he is noted for his study of character, optimism, health, and well-being. His other books include A Primer in Positive Psychology and Pursuing the Good Life. In 2010, Dr. Peterson won the Golden Apple Award for outstanding teaching at the University of Michigan. Acclaim for Character Strengths Matter “My friend, Chris Peterson, would have loved this book. It brings to life with personal stories, practical recommendations, wisdom, and humor the dry scholarship that he (with an assist from me) did in Character Strengths and Virtues. Chris was very down- to-earth and I am sure he would have concurred in my enthusiastically recommending this book to everyone who works with character strengths in the real world.” ~ Martin E. P. Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness and Flourish. “I wish Christopher Peterson were alive to read this book. He would have been proud and grateful. This wonderful book beautifully weaves together art and science, reason and passion, theory and practice—and the outcome is an accessible and rigorous guide that can help us fulfill our potential for success and happiness. It brings Peterson's work on strengths to life!” ~ Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, author of Happier, The Pursuit of Perfect, and Choose the Life You Want “This is what is so stunning about this book: it’s the best experiential or applied introduction to the psychology of human strengths that I’ve seen. I learned from this book by performing it, not just reading it. This tiny volume has magic in it.” ~ Dr. David L. Cooperrider, Case Western Reserve University, The David L. Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry at Champlain College “This is an extraordinary book—extraordinary in that it includes the latest research on character strengths but goes well beyond that. It provides five practice guidelines applicable to each strength, and, importantly, provides examples, monologues, poems, and speeches that realistically illustrate each strength. Polly and Britton have provided a tremendous service to the field of positive psychology and positive education by combining scholarship, practice, and illustrations in a way that has not appeared heretofore. I highly recommend this book.” ~ Dr. Kim Cameron, William Russell Kelly Professor of Management and Organizations, University of Michigan, author of Positive Leadership and Developing Management Skills. “Professor Chris Peterson’s monumental contribution to the field of positive psychology lives on in this unique and moving volume on character strengths.” ~ Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, author of Positivity and Love 2.0 “Character Strengths Matter is best viewed as a gift. It represents the gift Chris Peterson gave to the world with his groundbreaking research on character. It represents the many people who follow in his footsteps by being good stewards of his work and disseminating it widely to those who may benefit. The book’s contents reveal an opportunity for all readers to give themselves the gift of character strengths by understanding, exploring, embodying, and expressing their best qualities to improve themselves AND to help others.” ~ Dr. Ryan M. Niemiec, education director of the VIA Institute on Character and author of Mindfulness and Character Strengths “This wonderful book is testament to Chris Peterson’s legacy of bringing character strengths to life. Through scientific insight, practical advice, and inspirational examples, Britton and Polly engage a whole new audience in living a full life through their character strengths.” ~ Dr. Alex Linley, CEO of CAPP and author of The Strengths Book and Average to A+ “Chris Peterson was one of my favorite people in the whole world, and I had great respect for him as a scientist! This volume is a wonderful tribute to Chris and his work, which I consider to be some of the very best scholarship in positive psychology. Indeed, his research is some of the best research in all of psychology during the past several decades! In terms of virtues, Chris was fair and kind, curious and inquisitive, and funny and fun. We continue to miss Chris a lot, but this book will help us keep him close.” ~ Dr. Ed Diener, Senior scientist for the Gallup Organization and author of Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth “This book is all about living the ‘full life’ but every page is also full of life! It provides a creative, playful, personal and practical guide on how to apply strengths to everyday situations. To put it simply this book is thoroughly engaging and heart-warming and aptly echoes the fine qualities of our dearly missed Chris Peterson.” ~ Dr. Dianne Vella-Brodrick, Director, Master of Applied Positive Psychology program, University of Melbourne “Chris Peterson was widely regarded as a leader in positive psychology research. This volume is evidence of his profound and positive influence. Here, you will find interviews and articles with people affected by Chris' work on character strengths as well as practical suggestions for using your own. A true testament to his legacy.” ~ Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener, author of The Courage Quotient and Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth “Talk to your children about their weaknesses and watch them shrink. Point to their strengths and watch them come alive and, literally, rise to their full height. Though weaknesses need recognition they rarely provide meaningful guidance, and never purpose. Among Christopher Peterson’s many strengths, indeed his greatest may have been his ability to help humanity understand its own. In this fine book, combining first-hand insight, practical wisdom, and excellent journalism, Britton and Polly open another fascinating path to Peterson’s work, taking it even further. “ ~ Dr. Hans Henrik Knoop, Aarhus University, Past President, European Network for Positive Psychology “The notion of ‘full’ in the title is aptly applied to this book, which is full of rich and practical examples of how people can live in strength-based ways. This book is a valuable guide to teachers in secondary school who want to find ways to help their students cultivate character and is also a wonderful book for any person who wants to live a full life. I was particularly attracted to the way this book combines science and ‘the arts’ to explore character strengths. Such an approach ensures that varied learning styles are catered for and, personally speaking, it appealed to my own signature strength of ‘appreciation of beauty and excellence.’ Simply put, this is a beautiful book and an excellent tribute to Chris Peterson.” ~ Dr. Lea Waters, Expert on strengths-based parenting, Melbourne Graduate School of Education “More than any other work to date, Character Strengths Matter honors and embraces the depth and breadth of Chris’ contributions. Britton and Polly understand that the applications of the VIA classification extend far beyond the silos of positive psychology and the study of character. The 24 strengths provide a powerful tool for revealing, on the one hand, the essence of our shared humanity, and, on the other, the uniqueness of each individual. The rich combination of research and theory with engaging personal narrative and practical advice can only be described as Petersonesque.” ~ Mark Linkins, Positive Education Consultant “Britton and Polly have put together an engaging and thoughtful book that explores the concept of Character Strengths in a way not yet seen before. The aim of this book is to bring awareness to, exploration of and active engagement with Character Strength and Virtues, and this is achieved in a way that will offer something for everyone. From snippets of literature to excerpts of speeches by Nobel Prize winners, this book is a delight to read and is sure to become recommended reading for all those new and old to positive psychology.” ~ Dr. Kate Hefferon, CPsychol, Senior Lecturer of the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology program, University of East London and author of The Body and Positive Psychology “This clarification of Chris Peterson's 24 strengths is charming, rewarding, and a page turner! Nothing else written about the 24 strengths share these three virtues. All students of character and all students of positive psychology should read this wonderful book from cover to cover.” ~ George Eman Vaillant, MD, 35-year director of Harvard's Study of Adult Development, author of Spiritual Evolution, Aging Well, and Adaptation to Life. “A unique collection of cutting-edge research and practical applications for coaches, consultants and educators aiming to help their clients become happier and more productive. All proceeds are being donated to a scholarship to support future researchers—a win-win.” ~ Dr. Adam Grant, Wharton professor and New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take “This is among the best books in all of positive psychology. It takes one of the most important areas of research — the character strengths — and makes it as accessible, as practical, and as inspiring as could be. I particularly love that it is written for sharing. Every couple and every family should have a copy. This will become my standard dinner party gift, instead of a bottle of wine.” ~ Dr. Jonathan Haidt, New York University, author of The Righteous Mind and The Happiness Hypothesis POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY NEWS SERIES Character Strengths Matter How to Live a Full Life Edited by Shannon Polly, MAPP & Kathryn Britton, MAPP Series Editor: Senia Maymin, PhD, MAPP Positive Psychology News, LLC 2015
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