Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcome Negativity, and Thrive by Barbara Fredrickson

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Many people don't just think that the glass is half full; they think it's leaking. Dr. Barbara Frederickson contends that scientific studies prove that such inveterate negativity poisons every aspect of our lives. To prove that a positive attitude is essential, even more important than happiness, she cites recent research showing that "positivity" can relieve depression, make you more mentally agile and receptive to creative ideas and relationships. In this well-grounded, groundbreaking book, she explains how you can turn your downward slide into an upward spiral.

From the Publisher

World renowned researcher Dr. Barbara Fredrickson gives you the lab-tested tools necessary to create a healthier, more
vibrant, and flourishing life through a process she calls "the upward spiral." You’ll discover:

•What positivity is, and why it needs to be heartfelt to be effective
• The ten sometimes surprising forms of positivity
• Why positivity is more important than happiness
• How positivity can enhance relationships, work, and health, and how it relieves depression, broadens minds, and builds lives
• The top-notch research that backs the 3-to-1 "positivity ratio" as a key tipping point
• That your own sources of positivity are unique and how to tap into them
• How to calculate your current positivity ratio, track it, and improve it

With Positivity, you’ll learn to see new possibilities, bounce back from setbacks, connect with others, and become the best version of yourself.

The Washington Post - Eric Weiner

Fredrickson, one of the pioneers of this field, knows her stuff. She is a sure-footed and compassionate guide to positive psychology's many findings.

Publishers Weekly

Positive psychology pioneer Fredrickson introduces readers to the power of harnessing happiness to transform their lives, backed up by impressive lab research. The author lays out the "core truths" and 10 forms of positivity-joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe and love-in a book that promises to change the way people look at feeling good. Disdainful of Pollyannaism, Fredrickson remains realistic in her treatment and provides scientific evidence to illustrate her findings that maintaining a 3:1 "positivity ratio" of positive thoughts to negative emotions creates a "tipping point" between "languishing and flourishing." The book includes compelling case studies, concrete tips, a Positivity Self Test and a tool kit for decreasing negativity and raising the positivity ratio. Although many of Fredrickson's methods and theories (notes on meditation and karma) will seem familiar to anyone versed in yoga or eastern religions, the scientific foundation of her arguments and additional online resources (www.positivityratio.com) offer readers a chance to experiment with positivity and very possibly lead richer lives. (Feb.)

Fran Mentch - Library Journal

Positive psychology was introduced as a concept about ten years ago by Martin Seligman; the field studies topics like happiness, satisfaction, and hope. Fredrickson (psychology, Univ. of North Carolina), who has spent her career studying positive emotions, has written a self-help book instructing readers how to put positivity into their lives. She describes how this will unlock their creativity, improve their ability to savor the world's pleasures, and increase satisfaction with their lives and relationships. Fredrickson pinpoints a three-to-one ratio of positive to negative emotions as the key to maximum achievement. She lists ten forms of positivity and helps readers calculate and track their positivity ratios. A few strong sections feature useful advice in this rather frothy but entertaining self-help work. Readers looking for a more scholarly but readable book on positive psychology will enjoy Daniel Nettle's Happiness: The Science Behind Your Smile. Suitable for public libraries with large self-help collections.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents