Positive Psychology and Outdoor Education

Abstract

A relatively new movement in psychology, positive psychology, has many implications for the field of outdoor education. Positive psychology has the goal of fostering excellence through the understanding and enhancement of factors that lead to growth. It embraces the view that growth occurs when positive factors are present, as opposed to the notion that it is the result of dynamic tension. This article argues that traditional models of change that rely upon disequilibrium may not be the best to use in outdoor programs. After presenting examples of positive psychological applications to outdoor programs, implications for outdoor education and therapy programs are discussed.