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Social Class Mobility and Positive Psychology

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Perspectives on the Intersection of Multiculturalism and Positive Psychology

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology ((CAPP,volume 7))

Abstract

Taking a strengths-based perspective, this chapter focuses on understanding social class transitions and resilience among people in lower social classes. The Mobility Typology is a framework for understanding how people in lower social classes navigate social transitions. This typology is predicated on an experience of social class transition (upward, downward, or laterally) and the identification and use of resources to help the individual adapt to the new social class environment. Although the typology is relevant for people experiencing upward, downward, and lateral transitions, the chapter will focus on those moving from lower to upper social classes and thus focus will be on the entitled and distressed types. The authors challenge the perception that people in lower social classes lack agency or are constantly struggling, and instead highlight possible points of strengths. Positive psychology is able to provide an understanding of the strengths that individuals of the entitled and distressed types possess and how these individuals may construct meaning from their contexts. Practice and research implications are provided.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. N328 Lindquist Center, Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA

    William Ming Liu Ph.D. & Allison Allmon

Authors
  1. William Ming Liu Ph.D.
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  2. Allison Allmon
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Correspondence to William Ming Liu Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology & Child Development, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, USA

    Jennifer Teramoto Pedrotti

  2. Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    Lisa M. Edwards

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Liu, W.M., Allmon, A. (2014). Social Class Mobility and Positive Psychology. In: Teramoto Pedrotti, J., Edwards, L. (eds) Perspectives on the Intersection of Multiculturalism and Positive Psychology. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8654-6_11

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