Tim Lomas, Kate Hefferon and Itai Ivtzan, Applied Positive Psychology: Integrated Positive Practice

Abstract

As the title indicates Applied Positive Psychology: Integrated Positive Practice focuses on the applied aspect of positive psychology. The text is aligned with the authors' academic backgrounds, as each currently works at the University of East London in the Applied Positive Psychology program. The book is based on the premise that the essence and future of positive psychology is in practical application. Lomas, Hefferon, and Ivtzan define positive psychology as, ''the science and practice of improving wellbeing.'' In line with this definition, the goal of the book is to provide students and professionals with tools that can be used to enrich their lives. The authors present a Layered Integrated Framework Example (LIFE) model, which they personally developed, and which is used to organize the book's eight chapters. According to the LIFE model, wellbeing can be conceptualized along two continuums: Subjective-objective; and individual-collective. These continuums intersect to create four quadrants that address wellbeing: The mind (individual-subjective quadrant); body/ brain (individual-objective quadrant); culture (collective-subjective quadrant); and society (collective-objective quadrant). The first chapter orients the reader to the discipline of positive psychology and describes the field's applied focus. It also outlines the LIFE model, and describes its theoretical underpinnings (i.e. Ken Wilber's Integral Framework, and Bronfenbrenner's ecological approach). The second chapter provides practical methods for optimizing the mind or factors related to the individual-subjective dimension. The suggested techniques include meditation, body awareness therapies, emotion-focused interventions, cognitive exercises, and spiritual practices.