Stewart I. Donaldson

Matthew Dubin

How the pioneering co-founder of the field of positive psychology can help us navigate our increasingly complicated world Over the years since Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first published Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, the field of positive psychology has become a rigorous, evidence-based discipline. Dr. Csikszentmihalyi’s pioneering work on “flow,” a state in which one is completely absorbed in a task or activity, continues to make lasting, positive impacts on individuals, groups, organizations, and societies around the world. In Flow 2.0, authors Stewart I. Donaldson and Matthew Dubin show us how their colleague’s and mentor’s contributions can be extended to improve our lives in 2024 and beyond. With an accessible and engaging narrative, the authors share what they have learned about flow over two decades of empirical research and provide a new framework designed to help us be fully engaged in our lives and flourish in complex and dynamic environments. Seven concise chapters explore ways the world has changed since the concept of flow was first developed, introduce the basics of flow and optimal experience, examine how we in our complex social and work lives, identify the essential role of flow in the PERMA+4 framework for work-related well-being and performance, and more. Addressing modern life contexts such as the hybrid world of work and the increasingly digital future of society, Flow 2.0: Optimal Experience in a Complex World is a must-read for all those seeking to improve their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Optimal Experience in a Complex World. Honoring Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's Legacy

Flow 2.0

Thought-provoking resource on how the late Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's ideas can help us navigate our increasingly complex lives and world Flow 2.0 honors the legacy of the late Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, showing how some of his major contributions can be extended to improve our lives in 2024 and beyond. Csikszentmihalyi is best known for his work on the concept of “Flow,” which describes a state of optimal experience in which one's skills match the challenges of a situation, and for his role as a founder of positive psychology. Underlying much of this work was his innovative and groundbreaking use of pagers and questionnaires to produce a database based on people's self-reports of their ordinary experiences. His first book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience became a bestseller in 1990, which presented his conclusions based on that database in a warm, humanistic prose style. His other books, The Evolving Self (1993), Creativity (1996), and Good Business (2003), expanded on his theories in a variety of directions. Written by a close colleague and former student, Flow 2.0 includes discussion on: PERMA+4, a framework for work-related wellbeing, performance, and positive organizational psychology What Mihaly taught us about flow, including the basics of flow and optimal experience as well as flowing together as a collective Flow 2.0 across life contexts, such as in the new hybrid world of work, sports, leisure, and the future of digital society What Mihaly's insights mean for our lives, human flourishing, wellbeing, and positive functioning in the years ahead Flow 2.0 is an essential read for all individuals who followed Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and wish to continue building on his work to improve their own lives and the lives of those closest to them.

Robert Picciotto

Governments and organizations of all shapes and sizes espouse values of equity and social justice. Yet, there are many examples of unfair social arrangements and employment conditions, dysfunctional government practices, and growing income inequality in both developed and developing countries worldwide. The profession and transdiscipline of evaluation is well equipped to address issues of inequality and social injustice, but until recently has been much more focused on primary stakeholder and donor satisfaction (being as useful as possible to funders of interventions and evaluations) and accountability concerns. The authors in this volume challenge the field of evaluation to become more concerned about using evaluation to develop more equitable organizations, governments, and societies. Leading evaluation theorists and practitioners including Michael Scriven, Jennifer Greene, Thomas Schwandt, Emily Gates, Sandra Mathison, Karen Kirkhart, Saville Kushner, Lois-Ellin Datta, Ernest House, Robert Stake, Patricia Rogers, Robert Picciotto and Stewart Donaldson, provide a range of visions for how evaluation can play a much larger role in facilitating social justice across the globe. Evaluation for an Equitable Society will be of great interest to evaluation practitioners, students and scholars. It will be of interest to those teaching and taking introductory evaluation courses, as well as advanced courses focused on improving evaluation theory and practice.

Evaluation for an Equitable Society

Melvin M. Mark

Bernadette Campbell

This compelling work brings together leading social psychologists and evaluators to explore the intersection of these two fields and how their theory, practices, and research findings can enhance each other. An ideal professional reference or student text, the book examines how social psychological knowledge can serve as the basis for theory-driven evaluation; facilitate more effective partnerships with stakeholders and policymakers; and help evaluators ask more effective questions about behavior. Also identified are ways in which real-world evaluation findings can identify gaps in social psychological theory and test and improve the validity of social psychological findings--for example, in the areas of cooperation, competition, and intergroup relations. The volume includes a useful glossary of both fields' terms and offers practical suggestions for fostering cross-fertilization in research, graduate training, and employment opportunities. Each chapter features introductory and concluding comments from the editors.

Social Psychology and Evaluation

Christopher Chen

POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERVENTIONS DISCOVER THE LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY Positive Organizational Psychology Interventions: Design and Evaluation delivers a concise description and synthesis of positive organizational psychology theory, empirical research, and evidence-based applications. Based on a thorough review of the peer-reviewed literature by the accomplished and distinguished editors, the book offers readers an encapsulation of the growth of the field and the latest state-of-the-art theory and research-driven interventions in this emerging area. You’ll discover the breadth and depth of the field of positive organizational psychology grounded in empirical research and evidence-based practice, thereby avoiding some of the frivolousness and optimism sometimes associated with the field. The book provides an honest and balanced view of positive organizational psychology by acknowledging the limitations of the research, relevant critiques, and the extent to which findings can be applied. Finally, the volume will serve as a useful tool to inspire ideas for further evidence-based research and intervention design, and for facilitating class exercises, discussions, projects, and more. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to positive organizational psychology and research methods commonly used in positive organizational psychology An exploration of positive psychological states, traits, and processes in the workplace, as well as strength and virtues at work Practical discussions of flow and work engagement, job crafting, strengths-focused performance reviews, positive organizational capacity building, positive cultural humility, a positive approach to sexual harassment prevention, and positive leadership development An analysis of positive organizational development and positive human resource practices, as well as workplace well-being, thriving, and flourishing Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students in psychology programs, Positive Organizational Psychology Interventions will also earn a place in the libraries of practitioners of positive psychology who seek a one-stop reference for the latest developments in positive organizational psychology scholarship.

Design and Evaluation

Positive Organizational Psychology Interventions

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Jeanne Nakamura

Positive psychological science has experienced extraordinary growth over the past two decades. Research in this area is revealing new strategies and interventions for improving everyday life, health and well-being, work, education, and societies across the globe. Contributions from luminaries in the field provide excellent reviews of the selected topics, summarizing empirical evidence, describing measurement tools, and offering recommendations for improving many aspects of our lives. Comprehensively updated, this second edition not only incorporates the more recent empirical findings; three new chapters on relationships and love, the importance of purpose, and the stimulation of education practice have been added. Focused on peer-reviewed and theory-driven psychological science, this book uniquely establishes a bridge between the intellectual movement for positive psychology and how it works in the real world. This collection of chapters will inspire the reader to creatively find new opportunities to better the human condition, whether these are in our lives, schools, health care settings, or workplaces. This book will be of interest to all psychologists and social scientists, applied researchers, program designers and evaluators, educators, leaders, students, and anyone interested in applying the science of positive psychology to improve everyday life and/or to promote social betterment and justice locally and globally.

Improving Everyday Life, Well-Being, Work, Education, and Societies Across the Globe

Positive Psychological Science

Meg A. Warren

Providing an invaluable resource for scholars and researchers, this book investigates positive psychology and relationships theory and research across a range of settings and life stages—intimate, work, educational, senior/retirement, and in the context of diversity. • Explores recent relationships research in the most important life domains and life stages—in romance and at work, during youth and in old age, and in contexts of diversity • Brings together contributions from renowned leaders and prolific thinkers in positive relationships • Presents science-based information that will be useful to scholars and students as well as general readers

Toward a Positive Psychology of Relationships: New Directions in Theory and Research

Dale E. Berger

Kathy Pezdek

Applied Psychology demonstrates the power of applied psychology to promote human welfare and optimal human functioning as well as the vast career opportunities that exist for those with a psychology education. Some of the most eminent psychologists in the world today examine how psychological science is and can be used to prevent and ameliorate pressing human problems to promote positive social change. Part one provides an overview of the history and rise of applied psychology. The second part provides examples of how psychological science has been, and can be used, to prevent and ameliorate human problems. Part three presents examples of cutting-edge research in applied psychology, while exploring non-traditional career opportunities. The contributors provide evidence for the range of career opportunities, discuss skill and educational requirements, and explore the quality of work life in a wide range of areas within psychology. Advice on what it takes to prepare for a rewarding career in applied psychology is also provided. Intended as a supplement for courses in introductory or applied psychology, contemporary issues, professional development, social and organizational psychology, this book will also be a valued addition to campus career centers. Psychologists considering new career options will also appreciate this volume.

New Frontiers and Rewarding Careers

Applied Psychology

Positive Psychology has experienced extraordinary growth over the past decade. Emerging research in this area is suggesting new strategies for improving everyday life, healthcare, education systems, organizations and work life, and societies across the globe. This book will be of interest to all applied psychologists, applied researchers, social and organizational psychologists, and anyone interested in applying the science of positive psychology to improvement of the human condition.

Stewart I. Donaldson

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