Beyond positive psychology? Toward a contextual view of psychological processes and well-being.

JK McNulty, FD Fincham - American Psychologist, 2012 - psycnet.apa.org
JK McNulty, FD Fincham
American Psychologist, 2012psycnet.apa.org
The field of positive psychology rests on the assumption that certain psychological traits and
processes are inherently beneficial for well-being. We review evidence that challenges this
assumption. First, we review data from 4 independent longitudinal studies of marriage
revealing that 4 ostensibly positive processes—forgiveness, optimistic expectations, positive
thoughts, and kindness—can either benefit or harm well-being depending on the context in
which they operate. Although all 4 processes predicted better relationship well-being among …
Abstract
The field of positive psychology rests on the assumption that certain psychological traits and processes are inherently beneficial for well-being. We review evidence that challenges this assumption. First, we review data from 4 independent longitudinal studies of marriage revealing that 4 ostensibly positive processes—forgiveness, optimistic expectations, positive thoughts, and kindness—can either benefit or harm well-being depending on the context in which they operate. Although all 4 processes predicted better relationship well-being among spouses in healthy marriages, they predicted worse relationship well-being in more troubled marriages. Then, we review evidence from other research that reveals that whether ostensibly positive psychological traits and processes benefit or harm well-being depends on the context of various noninterpersonal domains as well. Finally, we conclude by arguing that any movement to promote well-being may be most successful to the extent that it (a) examines the conditions under which the same traits and processes may promote versus threaten well-being,(b) examines both healthy and unhealthy people,(c) examines well-being over substantial periods of time, and (d) avoids labeling psychological traits and processes as positive or negative.(PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
American Psychological Association
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