Drawing on more than twenty years of scientific research into positive emotions, world renowned researcher Dr Barbara Fredrickson shows us that attaining positivity is not about striving to be an annoyingly and unnaturally cheerful 'Pollyanna'. Rather, it is about putting into practice the '3-to-1 ratio' of positive to negative emotions, the crucial tipping point that will enable you to embark on an 'upward spiral' towards a healthier, more vibrant, and flourishing life.
Positivity
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Written by one of the most influential contributors to this new perspective in science, Positivity is full of deep insights about human behaviour as well as useful suggestions for how to apply them in everyday life. --Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - Author of Flow
The first time I heard Barb Fredrickson speak, the famous psychologist sitting next to me said, 'That's the real thing!' This book, like Barb, is the 'Real Thing': It's the perfect blend of sound science and wise advice on how to become happier. Barbara Fredrickson is the genius of the positive psychology movement. --Martin E. P. Seligman - Author of Authentic Happiness
Written by one of the most influential contributors to this new perspective in science, Positivity is full of deep insights about human behaviour as well as useful suggestions for how to apply them in everyday life. --Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - Author of Flow<br /><br />The first time I heard Barb Fredrickson speak, the famous psychologist sitting next to me said, 'That's the real thing!' This book, like Barb, is the 'Real Thing': It's the perfect blend of sound science and wise advice on how to become happier. Barbara Fredrickson is the genius of the positive psychology movement. --Martin E. P. Seligman - Author of Authentic Happiness
The first time I heard Barb Fredrickson speak, the famous psychologist sitting next to me said, 'That's the real thing!' This book, like Barb, is the 'Real Thing': It's the perfect blend of sound science and wise advice on how to become happier. Barbara Fredrickson is the genius of the positive psychology movement. --Martin E. P. Seligman - Author of Authentic Happiness
Written by one of the most influential contributors to this new perspective in science, Positivity is full of deep insights about human behaviour as well as useful suggestions for how to apply them in everyday life. --Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - Author of Flow<br /><br />The first time I heard Barb Fredrickson speak, the famous psychologist sitting next to me said, 'That's the real thing!' This book, like Barb, is the 'Real Thing': It's the perfect blend of sound science and wise advice on how to become happier. Barbara Fredrickson is the genius of the positive psychology movement. --Martin E. P. Seligman - Author of Authentic Happiness
About the Author
Dr Barbara Fredrickson is Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and principal investigator of the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a leading scholar within social psychology, affective science, and positive psychology.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Coert Visser
Format:Hardcover
Barbara Frederickson, Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina, and a pioneer of positive psychology, specializes in research on positive emotions and human flourishing. She is best-known for her so-called broaden-and build theory of positive emotions.
This book describes in an accessible and captivating way what the research by her and her colleagues has taught her about what positivity is and what is does. In her explanation of what positivity is, she mentions ten forms of positivity: joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe, and love. As to what positivity does, maybe it is best to start with six facts she mentions about positivity: 1) positivity feels good, 2) positivity changes how your mind works, 3) positivity transforms your future, 4) positivity puts the brakes on negativity, 5) positivity obeys a tipping point, 6) you can increase your positivity. A briefer way of describing what positivity amounts to is that it opens your mind and helps you get on a positive trajectory, an upward spiral. In other words: it makes you flourish. Flourishing is more than being happy. In Barbara Frederickson's words: "Flourishing goes beyond happiness, or satisfaction with life. True, people who flourish are happy. But that's not the half of it. Beyond feeling good, they're also doing good -adding value to the world. People who flourish are highly engaged with their families, work, and communities."
But that is not the whole story. The effects of positivity are not simple and linear. Rather, they are subtle and non-linear. Human flourishing works like a nonlinear dynamic system. In nonlinear systems, there are one or more tipping points at which the properties of the system can suddenly change dramatically.... Read more ›
This book describes in an accessible and captivating way what the research by her and her colleagues has taught her about what positivity is and what is does. In her explanation of what positivity is, she mentions ten forms of positivity: joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe, and love. As to what positivity does, maybe it is best to start with six facts she mentions about positivity: 1) positivity feels good, 2) positivity changes how your mind works, 3) positivity transforms your future, 4) positivity puts the brakes on negativity, 5) positivity obeys a tipping point, 6) you can increase your positivity. A briefer way of describing what positivity amounts to is that it opens your mind and helps you get on a positive trajectory, an upward spiral. In other words: it makes you flourish. Flourishing is more than being happy. In Barbara Frederickson's words: "Flourishing goes beyond happiness, or satisfaction with life. True, people who flourish are happy. But that's not the half of it. Beyond feeling good, they're also doing good -adding value to the world. People who flourish are highly engaged with their families, work, and communities."
But that is not the whole story. The effects of positivity are not simple and linear. Rather, they are subtle and non-linear. Human flourishing works like a nonlinear dynamic system. In nonlinear systems, there are one or more tipping points at which the properties of the system can suddenly change dramatically.... Read more ›
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By AD
Format:Paperback
I found the book very inspiring. I found I could apply the techniques to increase my positivity and decrease my negativity very easily.
What I like about the book is that the positivity that you might increase is genuine. I've read positive thinking books in the past and felt that they were more about acting positive rather than feeling positive.
The only criticism of the book is that I found too much of the book was on defining positivity and discussing the benefits of feeling positive. It's a small criticism and other people might find that much detail useful.
Screw Work, Let's Play: How to Do What You Love and Get Paid for it
What I like about the book is that the positivity that you might increase is genuine. I've read positive thinking books in the past and felt that they were more about acting positive rather than feeling positive.
The only criticism of the book is that I found too much of the book was on defining positivity and discussing the benefits of feeling positive. It's a small criticism and other people might find that much detail useful.
Screw Work, Let's Play: How to Do What You Love and Get Paid for it
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By diko
Format:Paperback
I have been depressed for last 3-4 years. I was seeing a pshycologyst for 5-6 monhts (he was amazing but the therapy did not really meat my expectations (I am more like "know the logic of the problem and solve it" person) I read so many overcoming etc books. However Dr. Fredickson's book was the most helpful thing with my depression, negativity, rumination.
I really hope Dr. Fredickson would see this review and know that I am so grateful that she wrote this book. I used to daydream everyday for hours, living in a world that did not exists. I used to cry every night, ruminate every morning! After reading the "positivity book" I started to meditate and my daydreams has stopped. I live the moment better and appreciate the world around me so much more. Also my rumination is so much less now. I am going to read the book one more time.
Thank you so much for writing a book with your heart Dr. Fredickson. It felt like I was listening a friend. I wish you every sucsess in your life.
I really hope Dr. Fredickson would see this review and know that I am so grateful that she wrote this book. I used to daydream everyday for hours, living in a world that did not exists. I used to cry every night, ruminate every morning! After reading the "positivity book" I started to meditate and my daydreams has stopped. I live the moment better and appreciate the world around me so much more. Also my rumination is so much less now. I am going to read the book one more time.
Thank you so much for writing a book with your heart Dr. Fredickson. It felt like I was listening a friend. I wish you every sucsess in your life.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A. BENETOU
Format:Hardcover
For these familiar with the work and research of B. Fredrickson, this is a book that describes with simple words all her research findings. But, there is more to it. Dr. Fredrickson, shows an ability to write and inspire us also. She discloses personal information that she connects with her work and conclusions in a very meaningful way. For these that do not Know at all her work- you must read it because it is an uplifting book based on groundbreaking research- very rare combination indeed!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Smiley Jo
Format:Paperback
this is really groundbreaking. In response to the negative comment: enhancing your positive emotions is hard work, but so is exercising your muscles. You would need to go to the gym regularly and measure your progress. Same applies to positivity. YOu apply some methods of increasing your positive affect, there are days when it's harder to do them, but you plough through it all the same. And then you measure your positivity ratio by completing an online questionnaire.
I thought the book was excellent and i would highly recommend it to anyone. Incl those serious people who are not into self-help but want to find different ways of improving their employees work. check out if your team performs to their full potential (Fredrickson and Losada part of the book)
Jo
I thought the book was excellent and i would highly recommend it to anyone. Incl those serious people who are not into self-help but want to find different ways of improving their employees work. check out if your team performs to their full potential (Fredrickson and Losada part of the book)
Jo
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By bucky
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Really interesting addition to the positive psychology canon. Lots of practical suggestions and a good read to boot.
By A. Rawcliffe
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An excellent book, which really highlights positivity in a real way. Loving the contents, recommending it to my students. David Rawcliffe
By jusali
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I think this book is just the right balance between self help and scientific and is a very easy read.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
This is a wonderful, life supporting book.
A good opportunity to bring positivity into your life.
Thank you!
A good opportunity to bring positivity into your life.
Thank you!
Published on 3 April 2011 by Sigrun Sveinsdottir
4.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting take on an old subject
Reading this book reminded me of another book, Siblings Without Rivalry by Faber and Mazlish ... the similarity being pearls of wisdom dressed in a very American style of writing. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2010 by Benaifer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Groundbreaking book on positivity
This is an extremely important book, one of the most life-enriching to come out in human sciences in quite some time. Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by E. Saarinen
2.0 out of 5 stars
Negative
This book is all about the science behind feeling positive, and doesn't make you actually feel positive, only bored. Well written, but too much hard work.
Published on 15 Mar 2010 by Kurt Warner
4.0 out of 5 stars
Too much chicken soup and apple pie
Normally I would not be attracted to a book with a title like this as there are so many 'pop psychology' books of this nature, with their sickly sweet, sugary anecdotes but I was... Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by L. Kelly
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