Positive psychology and poverty

Abstract

For millennia scholars have given attention to the relationship between material resources and the Good Life. The findings from a large body of research literature suggest that income and related aspects of material life influence well-being at both the individual and national levels. Much of the popular and some of the academic understanding of those living in poverty have focused on problems related to living without material sufficiency. In this chapter, we suggest that there are many positive aspects in the lives of the very poor. In keeping with a positive psychology approach, we suggest that these strengths and successes can be useful in the process of empowering people living in poverty. We review research and theory from positive psychology as it bears on poverty, and present case studies for psychological empowerment. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.