Back

Regenerative Positive Psychology: Talk by Michael F. Steger

When
31 Jul 2024
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location
Zoom

Registration is closed

Regenerative Positive Psychology: A Call to Reorient Wellbeing Science to Meet the Realities of Our World

In this talk we will consider whether the world is better off a quarter century since the positive psychology movement consolidated efforts around human wellbeing and flourishing. A range of indicators will be presented and a case will be made that there are some obvious (e.g., overly individualistic ethos and outputs) and non-obvious reasons (e.g., consumerist axiology) why it is difficult to find evidence of positive psychology and wellbeing sciences' broader impacts. The concept of regenerative approaches is contrasted to as-usual and sustainable approaches, and lessons are gleaned to gain a vision of what tomorrow's positive psychology could look like and how wellbeing sciences could reorient to meet the realities of our world, rather than being swept away and rendered futile. Regenerative Positive Psychology (RPP) is defined and Three Pillars of RPP are provided that might shape the initial steps of this reorientation. Examples that highlight new contributions of RPP are discussed. Ultimately, the aim of RPP is to empower positive psychology and wellbeing sciences to be parts of the solution for the most pressing crises of our time, and work to enact a better future for all of life's stakeholders, not just individual human ones.

Speaker: Michael F. Steger, Ph.D.

Michael F. Steger, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology, and the Founding Director of the Center for Meaning and Purpose at Colorado State University. He also holds honorary positions at the University of Melbourne, the Stockholm School of Economics, and North-West University in South Africa. He earned his PhD in both Counseling Psychology and Personality Psychology from the University of Minnesota, USA, in 2005. His research focuses on how people flourish through building meaning and purpose in their lives and in their work. His recent work focuses on aligning human wellbeing interests with the wellbeing of natural and societal live-sustaining systems. He has published more than 150 scholarly articles and book chapters, and his published works include two widely-used measurement tools, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire and the Work and Meaning Inventory, as well as three co-edited books, including The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Positivity and Strengths-Based Approaches at Work and Purpose and Meaning in the Workplace. He provides keynotes, lectures, workshops, and consulting around the world on the topics of meaning, purpose, psychological strengths, positive education, meaningful work, and creating a happy workplace.