Overview

How much do we know about what makes people thrive and societies flourish? While a vast body of research has been dedicated to understanding problems and disorders, we know remarkably little about the positive aspects of life, the things that make life worth living. This landmark volume heralds the emergence of a new field of science that endeavours to understand how individuals and societies thrive and flourish, and how this new knowledge can be applied to foster happiness, health and fulfillment, and institutions that encourage the development of these qualities. Taking a dynamic, cross-disciplinary approach, it sets out to explore the most promising routes to well-being, derived from the latest research in psychology, neuroscience, social science, economics and the effects of our natural environment. Designed for a general readership, this volume is of compelling interest to all those in the social, behavioural and biomedical sciences, the caring professions and policy makers. It provides a stimulating overview for any reader with a serious interest in the latest insights and strategies for enhancing our individual well-being, or the well-being of the communities in which we live and work.

Full Product Details

Author:   Felicia A. Huppert (Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK) ,  Nick Baylis (Lecturer in Positive Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK) ,  Barry Keverne (University Professor and Fellow of King's College, University of Cambridge, UK)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 16.90cm , Height: 3.20cm , Length: 24.00cm
Weight:   0.906kg
ISBN:  

9780198567523

ISBN 10:   0198567529
Pages:   560
Publication Date:   03 November 2005
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

Part 1 - Evolution and development 1: Randolph Nesse: Natural selection and the elusiveness of happiness 2: Eric B. Keverne: Understanding well-being in the evolutionary context of brain development 3: David J. P. Barker: The developmental origins of well-being 4: Sonia Lupien & Nathalie Wan: Successful ageing: from cell to self Part 2 - Physiology and neuroscience 5: Richard J. Davidson: Well-being and affective style: neural substrates and biobehavioural correlates 6: Stuart J. H. Biddle & Panteleimon Ekkekakis: Physically active lifestyle and well-being 7: Bernard Gesch: The potential of nutrition to promote physical and behavioural well-being Part 3 - Psychology of well-being 8: Barbara L. Fredrickson: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions 9: Nick Baylis: Relationship with reality and its role in the well-being of young adults 10: Martin E. P. Seligman, Acacia C. Parks & Tracy Steen: A balanced psychology and a full life 11: Daniel Kahneman & Jason Riis: Living, and thinking about it: two perspectives on life 12: Felicia A. Huppert: Positive mental health in individuals and populations Part 4 - Cultural perspectives 13: Susan Verducci & Howard Gardner: Good work: its nature, its nurture 14: Robert J. Sternberg & Elena Grigorenko: Intelligence and culture: how culture shapes what intelligence means and the implications for a science of well-being 15: Antonella Delle Fave & Fausto Massimini: The relevance of subjective well-being to social policies: optimal experience and tailored intervention 16: George Burns: Naturally happy, naturally healthy: the role of the natural environment in well-being Part 5 - Social and economic considerations 17: John Helliwell & Robert D. Putnam: The social context of well-being 18: Robert Frank: Does money buy happiness? 19: Johan Galtung: Meeting basic needs: peace and development 20: Nic Marks & Hetan Shah: A well-being manifesto for a flourishing society

Reviews

... probably the best single source of authoritative information on this important and rapidly developing field. * Big Issue in Scotland *

... probably the best single source of authoritative information on this important and rapidly developing field. Big Issue in Scotland

Author Information

Nick Baylis writes a 600-word weekly column for The Times Saturday Magazine on The Science of Happiness (Dr Feelgood), and previously wrote a life-coaching column for The F.T. He is also a practising psychotherapist and coach for private and corporate clients. In June 2005, Penguin will publish his mass-market Trade Paperback on how lives can be helped to go well. (UK, Canada, Australia and SA.)

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