The Social Psychology of Living Well (Sydney Symposium of Social Psychology)

Routledge, 2018.

Under the general editorship: J. Forgas, R. Baumeister

How to live well and the search for meaning have long been of intense concern to humans, perhaps because homo sapiens is the only species aware of its own mortality. In the last few decades, empirical psychology made a major contribution to this quest. This book surveys groundbreaking work by leading international researchers, demonstrating that social psychology is the core discipline for understanding well-being and the search for meaning. Basic conceptual and theoretical principles are discussed, drawing on philosophy, evolutionary theory and psychology, followed by a review of the role of purposeful, motivated activity and self-control in achieving life satisfaction. The role of emotional and cognitive processes and the influence of social, interpersonal and cultural factors in promoting a happy and meaningful life are discussed. The book will be of interest to students, practitioners and researchers in the behavioral and social sciences, as well as to laypersons for whom improving the quality of human life and understanding the principles of well-being are of interest.

Chapters

Understanding the Good Life: Eudaimonic Living Involves Well-Doing, Not Well-Being

Sheldon K. M., , in: The Social Psychology of Living Well (Sydney Symposium of Social Psychology).: Routledge, 2018. P. 116–136.

Expanding on the observations of other well-being researchers in recent years, this chapter criticizes psychology’s current use of the term “eudaimonia,” and in particular, the terms “eudaimonic well-being” and “eudaimonic happiness.” I suggest that psychologists have made a serious category mistake in linking the concepts of “eudaimonia” and “well-being,” a mistake that Aristotle himself took ...

Added: December 27, 2017

Keywords: positive psychology