Vol 21, No 4 (2013)
This special issue is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Peterson (1950-2012), the world's most prolific researcher in the new field of positive psychology. Articles explore innovative programs for building strengths and prosocial behavior and values with challenging children and youth.
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Sections
Culture and Development
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The Strengths Revolution: A Positive Psychology Perspective
Christopher Peterson
Christopher Peterson received the Circle of Courage Award and made the following address in a symposium on “The Strength-Based Revolution” at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan (Peterson & Brendtro, 2008). Dr. Peterson shared personal reflections on the strengths movement, which is transforming youth development. His presentation shows the superb teaching style, humanity, and humor that propelled Chris to the pinnacle of his profession. His legacy lives on in students and colleagues who were enriched by his too short journey among us.
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Positive Youth Psychology: Lessons from Positive Peer Culture
Christoph Steinebach, Ursula Steinebach, Larry K. Brendtro
The field of positive psychology shifts the focus from fixing flaws to building strengths. This emerging science validates a rich early tradition of optimism among pioneers in education and youth work. The authors explore practice-proven strategies to enlist youth in pro-social helping behavior and thereby create climates of respect.
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Educational Innovations
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Teaching to Strengths: Engaging Young Boys in Learning
Cynthia Johnson, Shauna Gooliaff
Traditional teaching methods often fail to engage male students in learning. A group of boys with problems in learning and behavior participated in a writing program using digital comic and graphic novel programs. They became more self-confident and excited about learning.
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Oil City PREP: Putting Positive Principles into Practice
Jessica Eisenman, Rachelle Barnhill, Ben Riley
This strength-based integrated classroom model combines education and behavioral health interventions in one setting. By combining positive interventions of Re-Education, Circle of Courage, and Life Space Crisis Intervention, the program has been successful in transforming lives and futures of very troubled students.
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Values in Action with Early School
Alison Digney, John Digney
Young people in Ireland with a long history of problems and school failure are given the opportunity to develop a concrete profile of their personal strengths.
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From the Editor
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Christopher Peterson and Character Strengths
Erik K. Laursen
This special issue of Reclaiming Children and Youth celebrates the contributions of Christopher Peterson, world leader in positive psychology.
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Life Space Crisis Intervention
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Too Conscientious: "It's My Fault, They are Going to Fire the Teachers"
Beth Leone, Signe Whitson
A high school student with a learning disability struggles under intense pressure to meet standards of a state’s standardized testing. Fearing that his failure will cause teachers to be fired, he acts out in ways to be punished. This interview shows how valuable it is to drain off intense emotions and make sense of a situation following a student’s crisis.
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Treatment and Family
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A New Definition of Punishment
Philip S. Hall
An expert in working with oppositional children and youth reviews the conflicting research on punishment which is either widely advocated or abhorred. He concludes that punishment is more about the adult’s intent and provides a dramatic new definition.
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Always Searching for Strengths: Interviewing and Counseling with the Circle of Courage
Barbara Frankowski, Paula Duncan
The authors, writing from the perspective of pediatrics and adolescent medicine, present a protocol for exploring positive youth development in conversations with youth.
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The Power of Hope
Scott Larson
Many youth who have experienced pain and trauma have learned to survive. But surviving is not the same as thriving. Humans are able to flourish only as they find hope. How can adults help youth envision positive futures?
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The Problem with Punishment
Scott Lee
The principles of Response Ability Pathways (RAP) can be used to transform coercive climates of schools or treatment programs into positive cultures of respect.
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