Main description:

Now with dozens of evocative movie images to help discuss key points Three completely new chapters on "PERMA" (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment), the 5 core areas of well-being discussed by positive psychologists: o Positive Relationships o Mindfulness and Resilience o Achievement, Meaning, Engagement, and Positive Emotions Now discusses nearly 1,500 positive psychology movies - 400 of them new to this edition More in-depth discussion of film exemplars for each character strength, exploring its dynamics, use for coping, benefits - and now with movie exemplars of overuse and underuse of each strength New exemplars include Edward in the Twilight series (self-regulation); Robert Downey, Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes (exceptional judgment/critical thinking); Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (prudence); The Artist (zest); and dozens more New appendices listing "Positive Psychology Movies for Children, Adolescents, and Families"; "Movies of the Year" for recent years; and "Positive Psychology Short Films" More extensive commentary on research and practice for each of the 24 character strengths, now with over 800 scholarly references Updated charts, references, practitioner resources, and more!Drawing on the authors' vast experience of teaching, movie discussion groups, and with patients, Positive Psychology at the Movies combines research-based advice on how to improve life and flourish with clear explanations of the scientific background - using movies to exemplify, illuminate, and inspire. The book leads systematically through the 6 "virtues" and 24 "strengths" that the "founding fathers" of positive psychology, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Christopher Peterson, and Martin Seligman, found to be nearly universal across cultures. In each case the authors look at: Key Concepts, Relevant Research, an Exemplar from a key movie, other movie portrayals (including international cinema), Antitheses, Key Enablers and Inhibitors, Practical Applications, and Summary. Readers or classes are invited to consider key issues - and the book also provides a syllabus for positive psychology courses based on movies. Positive Psychology at the Movies is uniquely suited for: (1) individuals or groups wanting to understand the concepts of positive psychology and thus improve their own lives; and (2) for teaching the concepts and practical benefits of positive psychology, in university/college, at work, during counselling or coaching, and in other settings.

Contents:

Table of Contents About the Authors ... ii Dedication ... v In Memoriam ... vii Foreword to this Second Edition ... viii Foreword to the First Edition ... ix Preface ... x Acknowledgments ... xiii Section I: Introduction and Background ... 1 1. Introduction ... 3 Section II: Character Strengths at the Movies ... 27 The Virtue of Wisdom and Knowledge ... 29 2. Wisdom and Knowledge I: Creativity and Curiosity ... 31 3. Wisdom and Knowledge II: Judgment , Love of Learning , and Perspective ... 54 The Virtue of Courage ... 83 4. Courage I: Bravery and Perseverance ... 85 5. Courage II: Honesty and Zest ... 108 The Virtue of Humanity ... 131 6. Humanity I: Love ... 133 7. Humanity II: Kindness and Social Intelligence ... 151 The Virtue of Justice ... 177 8. Justice: Teamwork , Fairness , and Leadership ... 179 The Virtue of Temperance ... 215 9. Temperance: Forgiveness , Humility , Prudence , and Self-Regulation ... 217 The Virtue of Transcendence ... 259 10. Transcendence I: Appreciation of Beauty/Excellence and Gratitude ... 261 11. Transcendence II: Hope and Humor ... 285 12. Transcendence III: Spirituality ... 310 Section III: PERMA at the Movies ... 333 13. Positive Relationships ... 337 14. Achievement, Positive Emotions, Engagement, and Meaning ... 348 15. Mindfulness and Resilience ... 361 Section IV: Conclusion ... 371 16. Conclusion and Future Directions ... 373 xvi Positive Psychology at the Movies Appendices ... 377 Appendix A: Exemplars in Positive Psychology at the Movies ... 379 Appendix B: The Positive Psychology Film Awards ... 380 Appendix C: Positive Psychology Movies for Children, Adolescents, and Families ... 381 Appendix D: Positive Psychology Shorts ... 383 Appendix E: Questions for Classroom, Therapy, and Movie Group Discussions ... 385 Appendix F: Positive Psychology Movie Clips ... 386 Appendix G: Syllabus of a Positive Psychology Course That Uses Movies ... 387 Appendix H: Website Resources: Movies, Positive Psychology, and Character Strengths ... 390 Appendix I: 100 Years ... 100 Cheers: America's Most Inspiring Movies ... 391 Appendix J: Positive Psychology Movies: Films That Portray and Inspire Character Strengths ... 393 References ... 409 Film Index ... 443 People Index ... 459