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Positive Psychology Across the Lifespan

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Perspectives on the Intersection of Multiculturalism and Positive Psychology

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology ((CAPP,volume 7))

Abstract

Age is a basic source of difference, conditioning what “the positive” means in human functioning. In the life-worlds of infants, children, and adolescents, the nature and conditions of optimal functioning differ in many respects. Significant differences also exist in the nature of “the positive” during emerging, young, middle, and older adulthood. Furthermore, age and the individual life periods are experienced and valued differently across cultures. In this chapter, age differences in optimal functioning are viewed through the lens of positive lifespan developmental psychology. The chapter first briefly discusses age and life period from a lifespan perspective. Subsequent sections illustrate the perspective by outlining the lifespan trajectory of three important and widely studied positive-psychology phenomena, drawn from the affective, interpersonal, and cognitive domains, respectively: well-being, romantic relationships, and wisdom.

The first four authors listed were respectively the lead authors on the chapter’s four main sections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences, Claremont Graduate University, 1227 N. Dartmouth Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, USA

    Jeanne Nakamura, Michael Warren, Brittany Branand, Pi-Ju Liu, Brett Wheeler & Thomas Chan

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  1. Jeanne Nakamura
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  2. Michael Warren
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  3. Brittany Branand
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  4. Pi-Ju Liu
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  5. Brett Wheeler
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  6. Thomas Chan
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Correspondence to Jeanne Nakamura .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology & Child Development, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, USA

    Jennifer Teramoto Pedrotti

  2. Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    Lisa M. Edwards

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Nakamura, J., Warren, M., Branand, B., Liu, PJ., Wheeler, B., Chan, T. (2014). Positive Psychology Across the Lifespan. In: Teramoto Pedrotti, J., Edwards, L. (eds) Perspectives on the Intersection of Multiculturalism and Positive Psychology. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8654-6_8

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