Cultures of Optimism [electronic resource] : The Institutional Promotion of Hope /
Bennett, Oliver.author.
What are the functions of optimism in modern societies? How is hope culturally transmitted? What values and attitudes does it reflect? This book explores how and why powerful institutions propagate 'cultures of optimism' in different domains, such as politics, work, the family, religion and psychotherapy.
Description based upon print version of record.
Cover; Contents; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1 The Optimism Imperative; Introduction; The optimism of everyday life; Functions of optimism; Conclusion; 2 Optimistic Democracy: The Politics of Hope; Introduction; Optimistic democracy (1): The democratic promise; From pessimism to optimism; Actually existing democracy; Ever-increasing democracy; Optimistic democracy (2): The rhetorical promise; 3 Optimism at Work: Human Resource Management; Introduction; Understanding HRM; The HRM tradition; Scientific management and the human relations movement; From the human relations movement to HRM
Enter 'positive organisational behaviour'Optimism at work; Conclusion; 4 Great Expectations: Parenting, Optimism and the Child; Introduction; The parenting complex; Optimism towards the child (exogenous); Optimism within the child (endogenous); 5 Models of Salvation: Religion, Eschatology and Hope; Introduction; The production of meaning; Divine justice; Final destinations; Conclusion; 6 Optimism and the Self: From Mind-Cure to Psychotherapy; Introduction; God's therapists: mind-cure and New Thought; Psychotherapy as a modern institution; Psychotherapy, hope and narratives of change
Conclusion7 Culture(s) of Optimism; Notes; Bibliography; Index
Includes bibliographical references and index.
What are the functions of optimism in modern societies? How is hope culturally transmitted? What values and attitudes does it reflect? This book explores how and why powerful institutions propagate 'cultures of optimism' in different domains, such as politics, work, the family, religion and psychotherapy.
Personality.
Social psychology.
Cultural studies.
Social sciences.
Culture—Study and teaching.
Culture.
Communication.
Personality and Social Psychology.
Cultural Studies.
Social Sciences, general.
Cultural and Media Studies, general.
Sociology of Culture.
Media Studies.