Positive Evolutionary Psychology

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Abstract Positive evolutionary psychology is essentially the use of evolutionary psychological principles and research to help advance the goals associated with positive psychology. Positive psychologists focus on ways that we can advance the lives of individuals and communities by focusing on factors that increase positive outcomes such as life satisfaction and happiness. Evolutionary psychology uses the principles of evolution, based on Darwin’s understanding of life, to help shed light on any and all kinds of psychological phenomena. Positive evolutionary psychology, thus, is the use of Darwin’s big idea to help people and communities experience more positive and fulfilling lives. Across 11 chapters, this book (a) describes the basic ideas of both evolutionary and positive psychology; (b) elaborates on the integration of these two fields as a way to help advance the human condition; (c) discusses several domains of human functioning from the perspective of positive evolutionary psychology; and (d) looks with an eye toward the future of work in this field. Over the past few decades, evolutionary psychologists have begun to crack the code on such phenomena as happiness, gratitude, resilience, community, and love. This book describes these facets of the human experience in terms of both (a) their evolutionary origins and (b) how we might guide people to optimally experience such positive phenomena in their everyday lives.