Counselor Guide· a Bicycle Guide

Partial book profile

Positive Psychological Assessment A Handbook of Models and Measures, 1st Ed

Shane J. Lopez, C. R. Snyder

A comprehensive handbook for researchers and practitioners on the scientific models and psychometrically sound measures for assessing human strengths, resources, and fulfillment to achieve a vital balance in psychological assessment.

The full book profile is not available yet.

Get the book →

What it’s about

This handbook is a primer for practitioners and researchers striving to incorporate the assessment of human strengths, resources, and fulfillment into their work. Moving beyond psychology's traditional focus on pathology, this volume introduces a 'vital balance' by providing a theoretically grounded and practical guide to positive psychological assessment. It features contributions from leading experts on the scientific underpinnings and applications of measures for a wide range of positive constructs, including hope, optimism, self-efficacy, courage, emotional intelligence, and gratitude. The book not only presents a catalogue of validated instruments but also offers a new practice model for conducting comprehensive assessments that consider both the person and their environment, empowering professionals to uncover hidden resources, foster growth, and make a real difference in people's lives.

The through-line

Who it’s for
A dedicated researcher or practitioner (psychologist, counselor, social worker) who feels their current assessment methods are fundamentally incomplete. They are frustrated by a professional landscape that overwhelmingly focuses on deficits and pathology, and they desire scientifically sound ways to understand and leverage the positive aspects of human experience to better help their clients and advance their research.
The problem
The prevailing models and tools in psychological assessment are heavily biased towards identifying weakness and psychopathology, with a notable lack of established, scientifically-grounded methods for assessing human strengths and environmental resources. They feel limited, ineffective, and perhaps even complicit in a system that provides an incomplete and potentially disempowering view of individuals. They are frustrated by the lack of tools and a coherent framework to fully see and cultivate the 'best in people.'
The plan
  1. Adopt the 'vital balance' mindset, accepting that strengths are as real and potent as weaknesses.
  2. Learn the 'Practice Model of Positive Psychological Assessment' to systematically gather data across the 'four fronts' (person/environment vs. strengths/weaknesses).
  3. Master the specific, validated models and measures detailed in each chapter to assess a wide range of positive psychological constructs.
  4. Apply the 'Equal Space, Equal Time, Equal Emphasis' rule to all professional communications, including reports, presentations, and client feedback sessions.
The payoff
Becoming a more effective, empowering, and holistic practitioner or researcher with a complete, balanced toolkit. · Developing more accurate and comprehensive client conceptualizations that lead to improved therapeutic outcomes and more insightful research. · Contributing to the development of a more balanced and complete psychological science.

See our guide

Related profiles we’ve built

Featured in these guides

Co-cited books