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Positive Psychology and Education

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Well-Being Research in South Africa

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology ((CAPP,volume 4))

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Abstract

In this chapter, the symbiosis between positive psychology and education is explored. The chapter starts by elucidating the interactionary and compatible components of and between positive psychology and education. Positive psychology as a scientific field can be taught, thereby providing a natural springboard to extend the central constructs of positive psychology into a variety of educational contexts. The chapter specifically focuses on the utilization of the broaden-and-build construct in positive psychology. While highly prevalent in studies within psychology, the chapter shows that there is room for wider application of the broaden-and-build concept within education. Furthermore, the similarities of using strengths and capacities in the assessment of individuals and systems in both fields are also highlighted. Various studies are used to illustrate that there has been significant expansion in the scientific study of strengths and capacities. Some instruments for the assessment of strengths are also considered. The chapter concludes with the notion that the time has come to move beyond the reactionary phase of establishing strength-based approaches in education and positive psychology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Irma Eloff

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  1. Irma Eloff
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Correspondence to Irma Eloff .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Africa Unit for Transdis. Health, Research, North-West University:, School of Psychosoc. Behav. Scs. and, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa

    Marié P. Wissing

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Eloff, I. (2013). Positive Psychology and Education. In: Wissing, M. (eds) Well-Being Research in South Africa. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6368-5_3

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