Reflections on the science of joy: Current challenges and future directions

Department(s)

Social Science

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2-2020

Keywords

broaden-and-build, challenge, Joy, positive psychology, suffering

Abstract

This paper offers a response to Matthew Kuan Johnson’s paper, Joy: A Review of the Literature and Suggestions for Future Directions (this issue). In dialogue with Johnson’s review paper and other writings, I will describe what I view as the predominant challenges currently faced in the young science of joy, reflect on potential distinctive features of joy, and offer some ideas for future research. In particular, I offer thoughts on Johnson’s theme of the relation between joy and suffering. This topic has been explored most extensively within theology. I will briefly offer a non-religious theory to complement religious themes in the literature. I will describe how, contrary to some current thinking, hardship may be a mechanism that promotes joy. This is a topic ripe for empirical investigation.

Publication Title

Journal of Positive Psychology

ISSN

17439760

E-ISSN

17439779

Volume

15

Issue

1

First Page

58

Last Page

62

DOI

10.1080/17439760.2019.1685574

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