Widening the Diagnostic Focus: A Case for Including Human Strengths and Environmental Resources

Abstract

In positive psychology, we must challenge a common error of professional psychology, today: making diagnostic, treatment, and policy decisions primarily on deficiencies of the person instead of giving serious consideration to “deficits” and “strengths” of both person and environment. This mission may seem disheartening in that it requires greater rather than less cognitive complexity. Yet this multifaceted focus is crucial if two system concepts—whole person and behavior as a function of person in interaction with environment—are to betaken seriously (Lewin, 1935 ). Practice and research that fall short of attending to this person-environment interaction does a disservice to remedial possibilities and personal integrity. We have divided this chapter into two parts. In the first part, we present enlightening concepts together with supporting research. In the second part, we apply the insights gained to professional practice and research and make specific recommendations regarding each of the issues raised.

Assessing psychological health: the contribution of psychological strengths

“…Both need to be addressed separately. Wright and Lopez, (2005) argue that mental illness symptoms co-occur with dispositional strengths and influence the experience of subjective wellbeing as found in this research. Character strengths provide resources that individuals can be encouraged to use to improve their wellbeing.…”

Positive Psychology Within a Cultural Context

“…In addition to studying the applicabiliry and relevance of certain positive constructs in the lives of culturally diverse individuals and groups, researchers also are beginning to explore strengths that emerge directly from a particular cultural background, such as ethnic identiry, familism, bicultural competence, and religion/spirituality (Lopez et al , 2002;Sue & Constantine, 2003). The field has thus seen a shift from generalizing findings about strengths to all individuals, to investigating strengths within a culture or community that may be unique to that group.…”

“…The four-front approach (Wright, 1991;Wright & Lopez, 2002) provides a useful framework for understanding strengths and deficiencies in an individual's life. As is evident by our field's history of overlooking strengths in people of diverse backgrounds, as well as ignoring the role of cultural context and environment (Lopez et al, 2006), there is a need to purposefully identifY and acknowledge strengths and positive coping strategies of all individuals.…”

Developing autonomous learning in first year university students using perspectives from positive psychology

“…A core requirement underpinning all of these is self-confidence, belief in one's self and one's abilities to tackle these new learning requirements. However, Wright and Lopez (2005) have persuasively argued that academic assessment of individuals commonly utilizes a deficits model, and this is not conducive to building self-confidence. This study utilizes approaches developed from positive psychology with the aim of increasing student self-confidence to facilitate the development of autonomous learning in first year undergraduates.…”