Living the Good Life: A Psychological History (First Edition)

"Living the Good Life: A Psychological History is a collection of writings about the good life from some of the best-known psychologists in the history of the discipline. Through the selected readings, students become familiar with various views on what makes for a positive, fulfilled existence from behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, and multicultural perspectives.

Featuring the work of seminal psychological thinkers such as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, Karen Horney, Carl Rogers, and Roy Baumeister, the book encourages readers to examine their diverse viewpoints on making life both significant and joyous. Topics include living rationally within the framework of an irrational world, the roles of creativity and resilience in African-American experiences, experiencing growth, and the importance of art and art education.

With its emphasis on personal growth and development, Living the Good Life is an ideal reader for courses in positive psychology or well-being and health.

Richard W. Bargdill earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Dr. Bargdill is currently on the faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he is an assistant professor of developmental psychology. His published works address the subjects of boredom with life, the concepts of fate and destiny, and creativity. He also has presented extensively on making meaning in life, dream interpretation, and Native American contributions to psychology. He is co-editor of the upcoming textbook Humanistic Psychology 101: Growth, Choice, and Responsibility."