South African universities, research and positive psychology

Abstract

A decline in institutional research activity, like that attributed to most South African universities, is alarming because it jeopardises a country's ability to take advantage of world-wide advances in science and technology as well as its capacity to absorb and use new knowledge. However, criticism like this might not be applicable to all areas of research at higher education institutions. The purpose of this article is to highlight pioneering and fundamental contributions by South African researchers to establishing a new paradigm in psychology, namely positive psychology. The article provides an overview of the national and international historic development of this field. Current and completed South African research within this field was analysed, and results reflect the type of research as well as contributing institutions from higher education.