Positive Psychology

Jan D. Sinnott, PHD, is a Professor of Psychology at Towson University in Baltimore, MD. She specializes in Lifespan Positive Development and the applications of existential, transpersonal, mind-body and positive psychology.  After completing a Postdoc at the National Institute on Aging, she developed her theory of Complex Problem Solving in the second half of life, and has authored or co-authored over 100 scholarly and applied books and other publications. Her research team is currently studying Complex Problem Solving, Intelligence, and Satisfaction in Intimate Relationships.

• Introduction.- Chapter 1. Calling in Child Rearing – Promoting Meaningful, Purposeful Living in Family Life.- Part I Positive Subjective Experiences.- Chapter 2. Mental Health and Illness in Relation to Physical Health Across the Lifespan.- Chapter 3. Flow Theory and the Paradox of Happiness.- Chapter 4. Finding Flow: The History and Future of a Positive Psychology Concept.- Chapter 5. Identity, Wisdom, and Critical Life Events in Younger Adulthood.- Chapter 6. Amusing Ourselves to Health: A Selected Review of Lab Findings.- Part II Positive Personality Traits.- Chapter 7. Rediscovering Internal Strengths of the Aged: The Beneficial Impact of Wisdom, Mastery, Purpose in Life, and Spirituality on Aging Well.- Chapter 8. The Black Survivors: The Courage, Strength, Creativity and Resilience in the Cultural Traditions of Black Caribbean Immigrants.- Chapter 9. The Role of Motivation in Adults’ Reading Comprehension: A Lifespan View.- Chapter 10.Martial Arts as a Pathway to Flourishing.- Chapter 11. Creating a More Ethical Workplace.- Chapter 12. A Seminar in Positive Psychology.- Chapter 13.The Positive Psychology of Adult Generativity: Caring for the Next Generation and Constructing a Redemptive Life.- Chapter 14.The History and Future Directions of Positive Health Psychology.- Part IV Learning to Thrive During Adulthood.- Chapter 15. The Influence of Erik Erikson on Positive Psychology Theory and Research.- Chapter 16.Resilience and Multiple Stigmatized Identities: Lessons from Transgender Persons’ Reflections on Aging.- Chapter 17.Experiential Wisdom and Lifelong Learning.- Chapter 18.Stress-Related Growth in the Lives of Lesbian and Gay People of Faith.- Chapter 19.Biological Complexity Meets Positive Psychology: What Does Complexity Theory Tell Us about Positive Psychology?.

From the reviews:“This substantial and informative volume, edited by Jan Sinnott, is best suited to academics, practitioners, and others familiar with research in the field and related areas. It consists of 19 chapters divided into four parts: Positive Subjective Experiences, Positive Personality Traits, Positive Environments, and Learning to Thrive During Adulthood. The contributing authors examine many of positive psychology’s current foci, including optimal development, flourishing, and resilience throughout the stages of life.” (Debbie Joffe Ellis, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 59 (14), April, 2014)“It’s a useful first and second look at Positive Psychology. Not light reading, but clearly useful for those interested in positive psychology. … I found it an exciting addition to my bookshelf and definitely one I will share with my psychology students.” (CouragePsyc, couragepsyc.blogspot.com.au, March, 2014)