The Psychology of Positivity and Strengths-Based Approaches at Work

This chapter explores the nature of the psychology of positivity and how strengths-based approaches are used with individuals and organizations. Positive psychology has emerged as the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing intrapersonally, interpersonally and collectively. The chapter offers an up-to-date edited title, with leading international scholars providing comprehensive and importantly critical reviews of wide areas of literature related to the psychology of positivity and strengths in the workplace. It considers three levels of research: the subjective level, the individual level, and the group level. Research at the subjective level includes valued subjective experiences and is broken down into past, present, and future constructs. The individual level involves research into individual traits that are positive, such as character strengths, talent, and the capacity for vocation. Finally, the group level involves research into 'civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals towards better citizenship: responsibility, nurturance, altruism, civility, moderation, tolerance and work ethic'.