The Making of a Global Positive Science of Human Existence: From Appreciating Existential Foundations to Identifying WEIRD Research Trends

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

  • Edward C. Chang
  • Christina A. Downey
  • Hongfei Yang
  • Zettler, Ingo
  • Mine Muyan-Yılık
  • Abigael G. Lucas
  • Olivia D. Chang

In the present chapter, we begin with a brief introduction to the rise of modern positive psychology. We then trace the foundations of positive psychology to two central themes represented in existential scholarship, namely, a focus on the power of being human and the importance of being happy with others. Next, we tackle the question of whether or not positive psychology has truly become an international movement by examining the publication trends of the top three journals covering positive psychological research from 2000 to 2018. As our findings show, much of the research on positive psychology remains dominated by research produced in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) countries, especially the USA, that are conducted by WEIRD researchers. We then move on to highlighting some of the major themes represented in each of the chapters of this volume, underscoring our hope to celebrate the works of many local researchers who have helped to develop and sustain the global representation of a science of positive human existence around the world.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe International Handbook of Positive Psychology : A Global Perspective on the Science of Positive Human Existence
EditorsEdward Chang, Hongfei Yang, Mine Muyan-Yilik, Christina Downey, Ingo Zettler
Number of pages16
PublisherSpringer
Publication date1 Jan 2022
Pages1-16
Chapter1
ISBN (Print)9783030573539
ISBN (Electronic)9783030573546
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022, corrected publication 2022.

    Research areas

  • Existential philosophy, Positive psychology, Publication trends, WEIRD science

ID: 358225316