Book Summary: Second Wave Positive Psychology Embracing the Dark Side of Life By Itai Ivtzan – Tim Lomas – Kate Hefferon – Piers Worth

Second Wave Positive Psychology Embracing the Dark Side of Life By Itai Ivtzan – Tim Lomas – Kate Hefferon – Piers Worth offers a new outlook on Positive Psychology by embracing the negative aspects of life.

The authors contend that facing challenges can result in increased significance, recovery, and improved welfare.

Second Wave Positive Psychology Embracing the Dark Side of Life By Itai Ivtzan – Tim Lomas – Kate Hefferon – Piers Worth Overview

Positive psychology is often associated solely with studying life’s positive aspects, but this is a misconception. Positive psychology also delves into some of life’s most difficult and painful experiences. Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side of Life is an innovative and groundbreaking textbook that examines topics typically seen as part of the ‘dark’ side of life, while highlighting their crucial role in our personal growth and transformation.

This more sophisticated approach to understanding ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ experiences marks the emergence of the ‘second wave’ of Positive Psychology.

As one of the fastest-growing yet least-understood fields in psychology, Positive Psychology tackles core topics such as meaning, resilience, human development, mortality, change, suffering, and spirituality. This book explores these so-called ‘negative’ experiences from a Positive Psychology perspective, illustrating how personal development often involves challenges that, while difficult, can lead to growth, insight, healing, and transformation.

Packed with valuable resources, case studies, practical exercises, and chapter summaries, Second Wave Positive Psychology is an essential guide for both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying positive psychology, as well as clinicians seeking a deeper understanding of the field. It is also a valuable resource for general readers with an interest in positive psychology.

Second Wave Positive Psychology Embracing the Dark Side of Life By Itai Ivtzan – Tim Lomas – Kate Hefferon – Piers Worth Book Details

Second Wave Positive Psychology Embracing the Dark Side of Life By Itai Ivtzan – Tim Lomas – Kate Hefferon – Piers Worth Table Of Contents

• Introduction
• The Dialectics of Emotion
• Positive Development – Our Journey of Growth
• The Dark Side of Meaning in Life
• Adversity, Resilience, and Transformational Growth
• Mortality and Positive Psychology
• Well-being: Suffering, Compassion, and Interconnectedness
• Spirituality – Transcending the Self
• The Hero’s Journey

Second Wave Positive Psychology Embracing the Dark Side of Life By Itai Ivtzan – Tim Lomas – Kate Hefferon – Piers Worth Book Summary

The Dialectics of Emotion

Explore further the intricacies of human emotions with the chapter The Dialectics of Emotion. This section investigates the ever-changing connections among traditional psychology, positive psychology, and second-wave positive psychology. It extensively explores the thesis-antithesis-synthesis process and the mutual relationship of opposing terms.

Explore a thorough analysis of commonly sought-after traits such as positivity, self-confidence, liberty, grace, and joy and discover the surprising importance of their opposites – negativity, modesty, limitation, rage, and sorrow. Comprehend the nuanced complexities of living well and delve into the negative aspects of life using principles of Buddhist aesthetics.

The chapter also offers a thorough examination of the rise and backlash of PP and the progression towards a more refined approach called the ‘second wave’ of PP. This chapter presents a new angle on emotional experiences, emphasizing the coexistence of emotions and the significance of context.

Learn how seemingly beneficial emotions can at times be harmful to health, whereas negative emotions can support thriving. This chapter questions traditional beliefs, investigates the impact of culture on emotions, and delves into ideas such as post-traumatic growth and self-determination.

Positive Development – Our Journey of Growth

Dive deep into the world of positive psychology with our chapter on “Positive Development – Our Journey of Growth”.

This comprehensive guide explores the four primary theories of lifespan development, including significant works by Erik Erikson, Daniel Levinson, George Vaillant, and Dan McAdams. You’ll gain insights into the potential application of these theories to support periods of transition in your life.

This chapter also highlights the importance of engaging with the challenging aspects of life for personal growth, healing, insight, and transformation. Get a detailed understanding of Erikson’s life cycle theory, Levinson’s “Seasons of a Man’s and a Woman’s Life,” and George Vaillant’s work on aging well.

The Dark Side of Meaning in Life

In this chapter, you will discover the complexities and paradoxes of life’s meaning in our illuminating chapter, “The Dark Side of Meaning in Life”. This remarkable analysis dissects the intricate relationship between meaning, purpose, and authenticity, and daringly exposes the potential ‘dark side’ of these intimate connections.

Gain insights into the profound levels of meaning and its significant connection to individual well-being. Experience a nuanced exploration of self-transcendence and its impacts on humanity’s perennial search for meaning. Uncover the intriguing interplay between spirituality, self-fulfillment, and the elusive joy found within life’s meaningful journey.

Adversity, Resilience, and Transformational Growth

This chapter explores complex ideas surrounding resilience and post-traumatic growth, examining the intricacy of their definitions and historical context. It emphasizes the importance of positive psychology in promoting resilience.

Uncover the possibilities for development, recovery, and change that may arise from confronting traumatic experiences. This chapter also highlights the evaluation of post-traumatic growth, the emergence of PTG initiatives, and the significance of fostering growth following challenges.

Acquire knowledge of cognitive and physical resilience, trauma, the impact of exercise on anxiety management, and the neural aspects of post-traumatic growth.

Examine the connection between post-traumatic growth and symptoms of post-traumatic distress disorder, and obtain important perspectives on the idea of healing and progress following a period of hardship.

Mortality and Positive Psychology

Dive into the intriguing discussion of mortality and positive psychology in our latest chapter, “Mortality and Positive Psychology”. This comprehensive study explores the dynamic relationship between awareness of mortality and various aspects of positive psychology, aiming to highlight how individuals can find growth, resilience, and positive outcomes even in the face of existential threats.

Uncover the benefits of contemplating mortality, derive insights from various philosophical perspectives on death contemplation, understand the importance of death acceptance for optimal functioning, and explore different models of mortality awareness and their links to well-being.

The chapter also compassionately addresses end-of-life death acceptance, introduces empirical measurement tools and interventions related to death, and offers a roadmap for future research in this compelling intersection of positive psychology and thanatology.

Discover how embracing death as part of life can lead to enhanced personal well-being and growth. This chapter navigates the complexities of topics such as mortality salience, post-traumatic growth, self-esteem, and well-being in the face of existential threats, as well as the role of mindfulness, nostalgia, and meaning-making in coping with mortality.

Well-being: Suffering, Compassion, and Interconnectedness

Explore the profound concept of compassion and its significant relationship with suffering, self-transcendence, and psychospiritual development in our enlightening chapter “Well-being: Suffering, Compassion, and Interconnectedness.”

We delve into the various definitions and models of compassion, discussing its invaluable role in religious traditions such as Buddhism and Christianity. Learn about the transformative power of embracing life’s ‘dark side’ and the potential effects of compassion on selfhood.

In this chapter, we also explore self-transcendence through compassion as taught by Buddhism. We shed light on how suffering stems from attachment to a separate self and how one can overcome suffering by transcending this self. We introduce practices like Tonglen meditation, where you can learn to absorb others’ suffering and return happiness.

Spirituality – Transcending the Self

Immerse yourself in the enlightening chapter, “Spirituality – Transcending the Self.” This chapter offers an unprecedented exploration into the connection between spirituality and self-transcendence.

Grapple with the challenges and rewards of self-awareness, witness how vital self-acceptance and self-compassion are in transforming awareness, and uncover the bond between psychology and spirituality in fostering well-being.

Dive deep into the theory of self-transcendence and the role mindfulness plays in accepting and transforming self-awareness. See first-hand the impact self-compassion can have on mental health and resilience.

The Hero’s Journey

A journey towards individuality, uniqueness, and wholeness – that’s the essence of the chapter “The Hero’s Journey”. This pivotal chapter takes you through the stages that define a hero’s life, linking them with lifespan development transitions.

It stresses the need to face challenges, discover the ‘dark side’ of experiences, and accept change as part of growth and development.

Drawing on myths and stories, it dives into our potential for insight, transformation, and healing when we meet life’s hurdles head-on. Moreover, it explores the concept of the hero’s journey as a path toward self-realization and touches on the significant role mentors play in our lives.

The chapter also teaches acceptance of life’s ups and downs and the trials that come with exploring the ‘dark side’. It delves into the depth of spirituality within these experiences and the essence of acknowledging the wholeness of life’s polarities.

About the Author: Itai Ivtzan – Tim Lomas – Kate Hefferon – Piers Worth

Itai Ivtzan: is a positive psychologist and senior lecturer, serving as the program leader for the Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) at the University of East London (UEL). His research focuses on mindfulness meditation, spirituality, and the meaning of life. He has authored numerous journal articles, book chapters, and several books, including his role as the lead editor of Mindfulness in Positive Psychology: The Science of Meditation and Wellbeing.

Kate Hefferon: is a chartered psychologist and Senior Lecturer, leading the Posttraumatic Growth Research Unit at the University of East London. Her research interests include post-traumatic growth, physical activity, health, and well-being. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, and book chapters, and is the lead author of popular positive psychology textbooks.

Tim Lomas: is a lecturer at the University of East London (UEL), where he serves as the associate programme leader for the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology. He has also published numerous peer-reviewed papers and books.

Piers Worth: is a chartered psychologist, accredited psychotherapist, and the head of the Academic Department of Psychology at Bucks New University. He developed and leads the Bucks MSc in Applied Positive Psychology program.

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