Positive psychology and its contribution to the development of positive victimology

Abstract

The development of positive psychology, a new direction in psychology, marked the beginning of a positive movement in the social sciences, having an impact on the development of criminology and victimology thought. This article presents basic principles of positive psychology, the study of positive emotions, positive character and institutions that make this possible. Additionally, the aim is to analyse the contribution of positive psychology to positive victimology. The author is of the opinion that the positive psychology approach may contribute to positive victimology in shifting the focus from weaknesses and risks to positive elements that promote recovery and post traumatic growth of the victim.

Razvoj pozitivne psihologije, novog pravca u psihologiji, označio je početak pozitivnog pokreta u društvenim naukama koji je imao uticaj na razvoj kriminološke i viktimološke misli. U ovom radu su predstavljeni osnovni principi pozitivne psihologije, studije o pozitivnim emocijama, pozitivnom karakteru i institucijama koje to omogućavaju. Cilj rada je, takođe, analiza doprinosa pozitivne psihologije pozitivnoj viktimologiji. Autorka smatra da pristup pozitivne psihologije može doprineti pozitivnoj viktimologiji u pomeranju fokusa sa slabosti i rizika na pozitivne elemente koji promovišu oporavak i posttraumatski rast žrtve.