This Fourth Edition provides the most comprehensive coverage of positive psychology¿s science and applications, presenting new frameworks for understanding positive emotions and human strengths, and exploring various positive conditions such as empathy, altruism, gratitude, attachment and love.

Part I: Looking at Psychology From a Positive Perspective
Welcome to Positive Psychology
Eastern and Western Perspectives on Positive Psychology: How "ME + WE = US" Might Bridge the Gap
Classifications and Measures of Strengths and Positive Outcomes
Part II: Positive Psychology in Context
The Role of Culture in Developing Strengths and Living Well
Living Well at Every Stage of Life
Part III: Positive Emotional States and Processes
The Principles of Pleasure: Understanding Positive Affect, Positive Emotions, Happiness, and Well-Being
Making the Most of Emotional Experiences: Emotion-Focused Coping, Emotional Intelligence, Socioemotional Selectivity, and Emotional Storytelling
Part IV: Positive Cognitive States and Processes
Seeing our Futures Through Self-Efficacy, Optimism, and Hope
Wisdom and Courage: Characteristics of the Wise and the Brave
Mindfulness, Flow, and Spirituality: In Search of Optimal Experiences
Part V: Prosocial Behavior
Empathy and Egotism: Portals to Altruism, Gratitude, and Forgiveness
Attachment, Love, Flourishing Relationships, and Forgiveness
Part VI: Understanding and Changing Human Behavior
Balanced Conceptualizations of Mental Health and Behavior
Preventing the Bad and Promoting the Good
Part VII: Positive Environments
Positive Schooling and Good Work: The Psychology of Gainful Employment and the Education That Gets Us There
Remembering Shane: Real Strengths in a Real Person

Shane J. Lopez, PhD (deceased), was a Gallup Senior Scientist and Research Director of the Clifton Strengths Institute. Dr. Lopez published more than 100 articles and chapters and 10 books in addition to Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths. These include Making Hope Happen, his first trade book; The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (with C. R. Snyder); Positive Psychological Assessment: A Handbook of Models and Measures (with C. R. Snyder); Positive Psychology: Exploring the Best in People; The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology; and The Psychology of Courage: Modern Research on an Ancient Virtue (with Cynthia Pury). Dr. Lopez was a fellow of the American Psychological Association and of the International Positive Psychology Association. A professor at the University of Kansas in both the Schools of Education and Business for more than a decade, he passed away on July 23, 2016.