Positive thinking An Islamic Perspective (original) (raw)
Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, 2015
An indigenous positive psychology that addresses the human development needs of Emirati and expatriate residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is proposed. A positive psychology approach leverages inherent, yet often neglected, social, cultural, and religious strengths to mobilize growth. Yet, psychology practitioners and researchers frequently focus on ill-being and weakness. Further, many psychology practitioners are non-Emiratis who tend to employ traditional psychological models from the West, which are perhaps incongruous to the UAE context; hence our call for an indigenous positive psychology. Psychological models rooted in Western notions of secular individualism run contrary to the UAE’s collectivistic and non-secular orientations. Moreover, focusing on the negatives, avoiding religion, and endorsing Western ideals of normality (disguised though they may be), can harm the psychological fabric of the UAE population. Although the field of psychology is expanding, a vision for practice and research is imperative; thus, the introduction of a framework for the development of an indigenous positive psychology that supports culturally appropriate strengths is relevant and timely. To do so, the tenets of positive psychology are reviewed, and steps necessary for the development of an indigenous version are proposed with the aim of facilitating the growth of the nation. https://middleeastjournalofpositivepsychology.org/index.php/mejpp/article/view/24