Positive Psychology as a Theoretical Foundation for Constructive Journalism

Abstract

This article seeks to provide a theoretical foundation and justification for the innovative and interdisciplinary field of constructive journalism. Constructive journalism involves applying positive psychology techniques to the news process in an effort to strengthen the field and facilitate productive news stories, while holding true to journalism’s core functions. It is this application of positive psychology methods that makes constructive journalism distinct. This paper expands existing work by identifying the broad psychological framework that is applied to journalism and the more specific constructs that apply to six individual constructive techniques. Constructive journalism has been gaining popularity in the industry but is in need of more academic research. This conceptual article intends to clarify the theory and practical application of constructive journalistic methods in an effort to provide a foundation for further research on the topic.

KEYWORDS:

• constructive journalism
• positive psychology
• social responsibility
• solutions journalism
• news

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karen McIntyre

(author to whom correspondence should be addressed), Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.

Cathrine Gyldensted

Open Eyes Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]