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- Convenor:
-
Grant Rich
(Walden University)
Send message to Convenor
- Format:
- Panel
- Sessions:
- Saturday 10 April, -
Time zone: America/Chicago
Short Abstract:
This symposium gathers thinkers from a range of perspectives to unpack the concepts of a positive psychology and a positive anthropology, to respectfully discuss such issues as whether these disciplines are best viewed as evil twins, sibling rivals, distant cousins, or something else.
Long Abstract:
Since the founding of positive psychology by the then head of the American Psychological Association Martin E. P. Seligman, about twenty years ago (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), the discipline has grown rapidly. The discipline features a dedicated peer reviewed journal, ample symposia at the Annual Convention of the APA, stand alone positive psychology conferences, and encyclopedias, handbooks, and a veritable cottage industry of sole-authored and edited books (e.g., Lopez, 2009, 2011, 2019). Yet the methods and samples of the positive psychology paradigm have been deeply critiqued both within psychology (Henrich, J., Heine, S. J., & Norenzayan, 2010), and within anthropology, as largely ignoring human diversity and the nuances of well-being as expressed around the globe (e.g., Fischer, 2014; Mathews & Izquierdo, 2009; Thin; 2009). A point of agreement among many anthropologists and psychologists is that well-being has been comparatively neglected by researchers in comparison to studies of negative emotions, cognitions, and behaviors, and dysfunctional social, cultural, and historical systems, such as those that result in violence, or in large health or wealth disparities.
This symposium gathers thinkers from a range of perspectives to unpack the concepts of a positive psychology and a positive anthropology, to respectfully discuss such issues as whether these disciplines are best viewed as evil twins, sibling rivals, distant cousins, or something else (Rich, 2017). Contributions from both psychologists and anthropologists, as well as those in the social sciences and humanities are welcomed.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Saturday 10 April, 2021, -Naji Abi-Hashem (Non-Resident Scholar, Baylor University)
Paper short abstract:
Resiliency is a fascinating and well studied subject. This paper explores its meaning and nature as a driving force within many human disciplines and endeavors. Resiliency is not only an innate-individual trait but a capital of resources stored in the community. Mainly, it is a function of culture.
Paper long abstract:
In recent years, the topics of psychosocial resiliency and cultural competency have been on the forefronts of many academic disciplines and human-care services. This paper explores the meaning, nature, and function of resiliency and provides an overview of its foundational role and integrative place in the fields of psychology, pedagogy, physiology, psychotherapy, spirituality, and community. All these discussions are presented from a sociocultural and interdisciplinary perspective. Most areas of learning and spheres of knowledge could further be advanced if they continue to incorporate cultural resiliency into their basic training approaches. This article emphasizes that the essence and manifestation of resiliency is rooted, not only in individual traits or abilities, but also in the capital resources already stored in the larger community--in its cultural wealth and generational wisdom. Resiliency is both an innate capacity, with various dispositions that is dormant within people and groups, and is a skill that is gradually learned, intentionally established, and consistently built-up and developed. Then, it will be readily applied as a way-of-life, natural tendency, refined asset, and potential drive for better livelihood, especially in time of adversity, misfortune, and calamity. Resiliency is mainly a function of culture. This article encourages the practice of cross-cultural competence and cross-disciplinary growth. It promotes multi-academic learning and collaboration in order to foster a comprehensive resiliency-training and a dependable approach for survival and coping. Also, this article encourages an enduring social awareness, a continuous emotional empowerment, and a relational respect, all coupled with cultural humility.
Smyrna Khalaf-Moughabghab (Regent University)
Paper short abstract:
This paper discusses the effects of gratitude, forgiveness, humility, grace, and trust on marital satisfaction among Lebanese couples. It reveals that practicing the positive virtues of “trust, grace, and humility” is a predictor of better conflict-resolution skills and higher marital satisfaction.
Paper long abstract:
Lebanon is a small Mediterranean Country in the Middle East, located at the converging gates of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Lebanese people have endured many disturbances, losses, tragedies, and traumas in recent decades. All these mental-emotional hardships and social troubles have translated into severe stresses on families, communities, and relationships. In addition, the divorce rate has been increasing significantly in recent years. This paper investigated the effects of positive virtues such as gratitude, humility, forgiveness, trust, and grace on the marital satisfaction, in particular, among Lebanese couples. Data was gathered from 193 participants—133 females and 60 males, ranging from 25 to 70 years old. The years of marriage ranged between 2 months and 46 years. They were from different socio-economic classes and religious backgrounds (including Christians, Muslims, and Druze). The participants completed several instruments in English to assess the virtues involved -- Gratitude, Resentment and Appreciation Test – Short Form (GRAT-S), Relational Humility Scale (RHS), Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), Global Relational Attitudes Conflict Exam (GRACE), Dyadic Trust Scale (DTS), Couple Satisfaction Index-32 (CSI-32), and Honor Scale (HS-25). A multiple regression was performed to test the main hypothesis that gratitude, humility, forgiveness, grace, and trust are predictors of better marital satisfaction among these couples. The results revealed that specifically, “trust, grace, and humility” are good predictors of marital satisfaction, reaching a conclusion that Lebanese couples who practice such virtues appear to have better skills in dealing with struggles and conflicts, and thus having more satisfying relationships.
Grant Rich (Walden University)
Paper short abstract:
This presentation focuses upon one core positive psychology concept – the peak experience – as a test case for examining some of the issues involved when positive psychology is internationalized and made indigenous.
Paper long abstract:
This presentation focuses upon one core positive psychology concept – the peak experience termed flow developed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – as a test case for examining some of the issues involved when positive psychology is internationalized and made indigenous. In particular, methodological, measurement, and theoretical issues regarding flow research will be discussed. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches to flow, including interviews, surveys, and the experience sampling method among others will be described. Evidence is examined from a range of existing research projects on flow from around the globe, raising questions concerning the positive psychology enterprise, including the value of psychological assessment tools and the debate over cross-cultural universals/comparisons. Rather than viewing qualitative and quantitative approaches (or anthropological and psychological perspectives) as rival factions, this project seeks to develop constructive dialogue that acknowledges both strengths and limitations of each approach to facilitate engagement with the topics of mixed methods and human strengths, subjects often neglected in cross-cultural research. This presentation integrates discussion of theory, research and approaches of both positive anthropologists and positive psychologists, with some inclusion of related perspectives such as humanistic psychology and the study of well-being.
Skultip Jill Sirikantraporn (Fulbright University Vietnam) Bich Phuong Pham (Franklin and Marshall College) Duyen Ngoc Ky Le (Fulbright University Vietnam) Anh Mai Vu (Fulbright University Vietnam) Phuc Huynh Le (Grinnell College) Ngan Huu Phuc Nguyen (Fulbright University Vietnam) An Ha Nguyen (Fulbright University Vietnam)
Paper short abstract:
In recent years Vietnam has become committed to addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) issues. This study utilized the Grounded Theory methodology to examine the in-depth experiences of 10 GBV service providers in Vietnam. 5 major themes and 11 sub-themes have emerged from the interview data.
Paper long abstract:
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a complex global problem that is deeply rooted in sociopolitical and cultural values, attitudes, and behaviors. While men are also affected, women and LGBTQ communities are predominant victims of GBV. GBV in Vietnam is found to be a pervasive problem with 58% of ever-married women having experienced at least one form of violence (physical, sexual and emotional) in their lifetime. In recent years Vietnam has become more actively committed to addressing GBV issues via various services. This study utilized semi-structured interviews and the Grounded Theory methodology to examine the in-depth experiences of 10 GBV service providers from 10 agencies in Vietnam, serving a wide range of populations, such as school-aged and college populations, women and girls, and LGBTQ community. Major themes emerging from the interview data include (1) cultural factors influencing GBV in Vietnam, (2) challenges and promises of GBV services in Vietnam, (3) suggested solutions for the improvement of GBV services, (4) self-care and burnout issues among GBV service providers, and (5) impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the GBV services. There are also 11 prominent sub-themes, such as Confucian, feudal, and collectivistic cultural values on gender-based biases, intergenerational transmission of values and the internalization of the values among GBV victims that keep them in the “vicious loop” of violence, and positive/negative impacts on the service providers’ health. Practical and clinical implications of the findings will be discussed in the context of a positive psychology, positive anthropology, and strengths-based framework.