DISCUSSION - Positive Psychology: Small steps towards renewing and expanding the sound tradition of subjectivity

Abstract

The basic tenets of Positive Psychology derive from the philosophical traditions of Utilitarianism, Virtues, and Eudaimonia theorizing, and Hedonism. However, its unique and original contribution to Psychology lies in empirically operationalizing the definition of well-being. Moreover, it has proposed a theoretical framework consisting of, also, operationally defined socio-psychological processes associated with well-being: (a) interacting within social relationships and contexts, (b) developing traits (e.g. personal strengths), (c) pursuing states of existence (happiness, pleasure) and (d) experiencing seamless functioning (e.g. meaning). These processes concern and render with theoretical cohesion most of the research and interventions within Positive Psychology. Nevertheless, and even though social and relational contexts have been an integral part of the cohesive model of Positive Psychology from the outset, rarely are they reflected in pertinent research in a way other than that of subjective representations. The six papers presented in this journal fall into the aforementioned fourfold cohesive theoretical approach of Positive Psychology and nearly all, respond to the above criticism by taking into account relational or social contextual factors and by employing different strategies for their representation or actual estimation..  All papers in this special issue are good examples of how evidence-based understanding can support and feed into effective intervention planning and applications, a goal that follows steadily Positive Psychology since its inception.