Positivity: Top-notch Research Reveals the 3 to 1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life

This book was the unofficial textbook for my Psychology class. It was a great read for positive psychology!

Arrived on time Good book

Fredrickson impressively relates scientific evidence to the reader regarding how positivity can enable flourishing in life, in a way that is compelling, easy to read, and easy to relate to. She combines a review of the existing research that demonstrates the benefits of injecting positivity into our lives, with easy and fun to read instructions for how to do it yourself. I highly recommend this book, as I believe it truly has the capacity to help individuals improve their circumstances.

There is an area of research and investigation in the field of psychology that is called the "positive psychology movement". For many years, psychologists studied what was wrong with people. They investigated aberrant behavior and psychological disorders. You might say they studied those who were emotionally unhealthy. That's what seemed to make the most sense to those working in the field. But somewhere along the way someone asked a pretty good question: "Hey, what if we studied healthy people? What if we investigated those who were emotionally healthy and happy and well adjusted?" Seems like a pretty good idea, doesn't it? The basic thought is: instead of just trying to figure out what's wrong with people who are emotionally unhealthy, maybe there would be value in trying to figure out what's right with people who are emotionally healthy. Maybe that information would be really helpful to us. In fact, it might even be more helpful! Thus began the positive psychology movement. (Well, its beginnings were probably a little more complicated than that, but you get the picture.) One of the pioneers of the movement was Martin Seligman who published the oft-cited, best-selling, "Learned Optimism". Barbara L. Fredrickson is now considered to be one of the leading researchers in this movement and she presents many of the interesting and helpful results of her research in "Positivity". A person might be tempted to think that this is pop psychology by untrained lay persons who tell lots of "feel-good" stories and encourage people to say "I'm feeling fantastic" all day long. That's not the case. This is not about having a "Positive Mental Attitude", Matt Foley style. This book is reporting findings of legitimate academic research from leading universities and credible scientists. Fredrickson has identified ten key forms of positivity which she explains in the book, as well as giving advice for how to apply them to your life. The ten forms of positivity are: joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe and love. The results of positivity are genuinely important and helpful...sometimes in surprising ways. The information in this book is presented in an interesting way and it will be of great benefit to those who read it. Dan Marler Oak Lawn, IL

Frederickson's Positivity introduces readers to a set of practices that have often been associated with alternative offerings and even woo-woo. She's not a rah-rah cheerleader; in fact, she specifically warns against trying to force a change in feelings. She simply demonstrates what works and why. The best parts of the book were the reports on specific experiments - the forte of academic psychology - and the specific how-to measures. I especially like the suggestion to develop portfolios relating to pride just before job interviews. I'd have liked to see more detail on constructing portfolios. It's not clear how they differ from vision boards. The chapter on negativity was particularly helpful. I love the notion of a news fast. I appreciate suggestions to find substitutes for gossip and sarcasm and reviewing a day for "land mines." I'm not sure the suggestions for dealing with difficult people will be workable in all situations; sometimes you simply have to get away from them. I also liked the stories of change, especially Nina's story in Chapter 5. In just three months of guided meditation, Nina's life transformed. And I like the idea of dreaming about the future as a way to gain more resilience and strength. On the other hand, I'm afraid I didn't have the patience to calculate positivity ratios. Some examples would have been helpful. Ultimately, while I admire the author's scholarly orientation, I couldn't help wondering, "What's new?" Earlier research on mood found that mood changes produced many effects described by positivity. I once heard a talk by Alice Isen, where she showed that decision processes changed along with mood. Mood changes could be induced experimentally by something as simple as a miniature chocolate bar. We've also seen considerably research about meditation going back thirty or so years to the TM program. I've read studies (can't remember the source) showing that people remember their own life histories differently when they're primed for positive or negative emotion. Is positivity an umbrella concept that integrates many of these diverse findings? Or is it a totally new concept that differs from what's already appeared? Most readers probably won't care. They'll just benefit considerably from reading this book.

I had the joy to collaborate with Barbara Fredrickson in finding and testing the minimum positivity ratio that would lead to flourish. As I read her recollection of the story of our discovery of the 3:1 ratio (2.9013 to be precise) I relived those intense moments of scientific insights into the deep nature of positivity. Barbara has at least two rare talents: First, she is s top notch researcher who doesn't settle for anything less than what's at the frontier of science and, second, she has a heart that beats with the same intensity and passion when it comes to bringing this knowledge to everyone. Not many are capable of straying away from academic circles and have something to say that would literally touch people's hearts. This is not your run-of-the-mill book on positivity. This one will guarantee that you start walking on the road to flourishing if you follow her advice. Not an easy road to walk, but the road that leads to languishing will, in the end, take your life away. If you are tired of walking this lifeless road, this book offers you the best alternative. Dr. Marcial F. Losada Executive Director Meta Learning Consulting http://losada.socialpsychology.org

Dr. Barbara Fredrickson writes an easy to read stunningly, compelling book. Positivity is rich with the science and research of how and yes why, experiencing positive emotions makes life easier- both in the good and bad times. Fredrickson brings her many gifts as an analytical scientist to the table as she writes about her years of in-depth research (and that of many others) with "the numbers" that document why positive emotions make our lives better. I have read many happiness books but this book is a true joy to read as Fredrickson weaves in her own heartfelt experiences and personal stories from her colleagues and research participants making the "science" come to life. But, that isn't all Fredrickson gives you practical, easy techniques based on the research of how raise your "positivity ratio" and find yourself when you get lost in the busy and uncertain world we live in today. For me once again reading this book narrowed the gap between the major premises of many faith traditions and science. If you are a skeptic she has the numbers that really document how positive emotion shifts your ability to see more options, be physically healthier and how to feel better. Or, if you just want to make a change in life and want to enjoy your life more you will love Positivity. Bonnie Snyder,Ed.S Life Balance Coach & Author