Positive Psychology at the Movies

Ryan M. Niemiec, PhD, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist in Cincinnati. He is Education Director of VIA Institute on Character, a certified coach with Hummingbird Coaching Services, and a frequent lecturer and workshop leader. He is author of a number of articles and film editor of PsycCRITIQUES. He received a specialization in film studies from Michigan State University. Danny Wedding, PhD, MPH, trained as a clinical psychologist at the University of Hawaii. He is currently Associate Dean for Management and International Programs at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant University. For many years he was Professor of Psychiatry, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine and Director of the Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH). Dr. Wedding is the author or editor of 12 books and is editor for PsycCRITIQUES: Contemporary Psychology and APA Review of Books.

Table of Contents About the Authors ... ii Dedication ... v In Memoriam ... vii Foreword to this Second Edition ... viii Foreword to the First Edition ... ix Preface ... x Acknowledgments ... xiii Section I: Introduction and Background ... 1 1. Introduction ... 3 Section II: Character Strengths at the Movies ... 27 The Virtue of Wisdom and Knowledge ... 29 2. Wisdom and Knowledge I: Creativity and Curiosity ... 31 3. Wisdom and Knowledge II: Judgment , Love of Learning , and Perspective ... 54 The Virtue of Courage ... 83 4. Courage I: Bravery and Perseverance ... 85 5. Courage II: Honesty and Zest ... 108 The Virtue of Humanity ... 131 6. Humanity I: Love ... 133 7. Humanity II: Kindness and Social Intelligence ... 151 The Virtue of Justice ... 177 8. Justice: Teamwork , Fairness , and Leadership ... 179 The Virtue of Temperance ... 215 9. Temperance: Forgiveness , Humility , Prudence , and Self-Regulation ... 217 The Virtue of Transcendence ... 259 10. Transcendence I: Appreciation of Beauty/Excellence and Gratitude ... 261 11. Transcendence II: Hope and Humor ... 285 12. Transcendence III: Spirituality ... 310 Section III: PERMA at the Movies ... 333 13. Positive Relationships ... 337 14. Achievement, Positive Emotions, Engagement, and Meaning ... 348 15. Mindfulness and Resilience ... 361 Section IV: Conclusion ... 371 16. Conclusion and Future Directions ... 373 xvi Positive Psychology at the Movies Appendices ... 377 Appendix A: Exemplars in Positive Psychology at the Movies ... 379 Appendix B: The Positive Psychology Film Awards ... 380 Appendix C: Positive Psychology Movies for Children, Adolescents, and Families ... 381 Appendix D: Positive Psychology Shorts ... 383 Appendix E: Questions for Classroom, Therapy, and Movie Group Discussions ... 385 Appendix F: Positive Psychology Movie Clips ... 386 Appendix G: Syllabus of a Positive Psychology Course That Uses Movies ... 387 Appendix H: Website Resources: Movies, Positive Psychology, and Character Strengths ... 390 Appendix I: 100 Years ... 100 Cheers: America's Most Inspiring Movies ... 391 Appendix J: Positive Psychology Movies: Films That Portray and Inspire Character Strengths ... 393 References ... 409 Film Index ... 443 People Index ... 459

"This is the most important book about movies of our times." Frank Farley, PhD, L. H. Carnell Professor, Temple University, Philadelphia, Former President of the American Psychological Association (APA)

"This is the most important book about movies of our times." Frank Farley, PhD, L. H. Carnell Professor, Temple University, Philadelphia, Former President of the American Psychological Association (APA)