Positive Psychology

Completed reading Barbar Fredrickson’s (2009) book, Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the 3-to-1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life.

Read this book because my good friend and mentor, Dr. David Austin had recommended the book at his blog.

Fredrickson writes about research related to positive psychology in a simple and easy-to-read fashion.

The medical model of the past has focused on problems and negatives. Today, positive psychology is a theory that focuses on the positive. I’ve worked as a Recreational Therapist (RT) for nearly 8-years. As a RT, I’ve helped to maintain and promote my patient’s strong points as well as their areas of needed improvement. Fredrickson’s book includes a lot of helpful information on positive psychology.

Here are some of the things she covers:

• What is positivity?
  
• What is an upward spiral?
  
• What are the ten forms of positivity?
  
• What is the most powerful form of positivity?
  
• What are the health benefits of positivity?
  
• And so much more.

She also includes a self-assessment form to help you to determine your own level of positivity. She gives permission for the form to be printed. Recreational therapists may be able to use it to assess their patient’s level of positivity.

I always enjoy books like this one written by Fedrickson for two reasons. First, it is easy to read. Second, it tells about research studies in a way that is easy to read. I love to know about research results, but I’m not able to sit down and read studies from a professional journal. Fredrickson’s book is straight and easy to read.

Fredrickson also received praise for her book from two well-known leaders in positive psychology. Both Martin E. P. Sleigman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi have testimonials for Fredrickson’s Positivity, which are written on the back cover of the book.

Continuing Education Opportunity

Recreational therapists may want to consider taking an introduction to positive psychology (five clock hours of continuing education) that is now available. Fredrickson’s book is a required reading for this course.

You can register for this self-study course and many others at this link below:

http://www.dannypettry.com/Courses.htm