Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. University of Colorado
Area: Clinical, Personality & Social Contexts

Contact Information

Email: chrispet@umich.edu
Psychology Office: 2268 East Hall
Psychology Phone: 734-764-6567

Research and Teaching Interests

My research is concerned with character strengths and how they pertain to such outcomes as happiness, achievement, and physical well-being.

Representative Publications

• Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification.  New York: Oxford University Press/Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Peterson, C., Park, N., & Seligman, M. E. (2005). Orientations to happiness and life satisfaction: The full life versus the empty life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6, 25-41.
• Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60, 410-421.
• Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2006). Character strengths and happiness among young children: Content analysis of parental descriptions. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 323-341.
• Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2006). Methodological issues in positive psychology and the assessment of character strengths. In A. D. Ong & M. van Dulmen (Eds.), Handbook of methods in positive psychology (pp. 292-305). New York: Oxford University Press.
• Peterson, C. (2006). A primer in positive psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Inglehart, R., Foa, R., Peterson, C., & Weizel, C. (2008). Development, freedom, and rising happiness: A global perspective, 1981-2007. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3, 264-285.
• Peterson, C. (2009). Minimally sufficient research. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4, 7-9.
• Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2009). Achieving and sustaining a good life. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4, 422-428.

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